Arizona Welcomes Taiwan Office Amid Chinese Pressure

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs defied Chinese pressure by attending the opening of a new economic and cultural office in Phoenix with Taiwanese leaders. The office, Taiwan’s 14th in the U.S., aims to enhance collaboration in technology, particularly in semiconductor manufacturing, and better serve Taiwanese migrants. Despite objections from China, Hobbs supported the partnership, emphasizing the importance of backing Taiwanese companies expanding in Arizona. The Chinese government had urged Hobbs to block the office, sending two letters asking her to reject the proposal. The Chinese authority accused Taiwan of attempting political gimmicks to harm relations between China and Arizona. Taiwan’s Foreign…