Sources identified the official as Navy Rear Admiral Michael Studeman, the top military intelligence official at US Indo-Pacific command. Under President Donald Trump, Washington has ramped up engagement with Taipei, especially during the last 12 months. In January, he tweeted congratulations to Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen when she won reelection. Lobsang Sangay, head of the Central Tibetan Administration, and Ngodup Tsering, the CTA's top representative in Washington, are seen inside the White House compound on November 21, 2020. The visit of Lobsang Sangay, head of the India-based Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), to the White House on Saturday is another such step.

Source: CNN November 23, 2020 03:00 UTC