US says China trying to discourage states, businesses from engaging with Taiwan

TAIPEI, June 25 – China has been contacting U.S. states and private firms to discourage engagement with Taiwan and mischaracterising U.S. policy, but links with Taiwan should be expanded, three U.S. government departments said in joint letters. The U.S. is Taiwan’s most important international backer and arms supplier despite the lack of formal diplomatic ties, to the constant anger of Beijing, which claims the independently ruled island as its territory. The two letters, from U.S. Departments of State, Agriculture and Commerce, are addressed to governor’s offices and CEOs or business leaders. They are dated June 16 but were released by…