U.S. May Admit Taiwan’s President, Risk Beijing’s Ire

Defying Chinese pressure, the United States apparently plans to let Taiwanese President Lee Teng-hui visit Cornell University to receive an honorary degree, a senior U.S. official indicated Sunday.

Winston Lord, the assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs, said the visit is likely to proceed, and Taiwan’s China Times Express newspaper reported that permission already has been granted. Beijing has warned that a visit would harm Sino-U.S. relations. China considers Taiwan a renegade province.

By granting Lee permission to visit the United States, the Clinton Administration would be bowing to pressure from Congress, where both the Senate and House have passed resolutions urging the State Department to modify its strict policies on Taiwan.

Since 1979, when Washington and Beijing normalized relations after three decades of confrontation, the United States has recognized China while maintaining unofficial ties with Taiwan.

In a visit to Hong Kong on Sunday, Lord told reporters that a “transit visa” for Lee is now likely to be issued. Lee has been invited to return to Cornell, where he earned a doctorate in economics, to receive an honorary degree June 9.

“They [Congress] just feel someone should be able to go back to his alma mater and be recognized without implying officiality,” Lord said. “In no way would it change our policy regarding China and Taiwan.”