U.S. grants visa to Taiwan's VP

January 6, 1997
Web posted at: 10:45 p.m. EST (0345 GMT)

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- In a move certain to anger China, the United States has granted a visa to Taiwan's vice president allowing him to land twice in this country on a visit to Nicaragua.

State Department spokesman Nicholas Burns said the visa allows Vice President Lien Chan to stop in Los Angeles Tuesday and in New York on January 11 on his return trip. Lien is traveling to Nicaragua to attend the inauguration of Nicaraguan President-elect Arnoldo Aleman on January 10.

Beijing has objected to similar visas in the past, claiming they violate agreements between the United States and China.

The United States says transit visas do not violate the so-called one-China policy because the Taiwanese officials are not allowed to conduct official business while in the United States.

 

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