Taiwan Quick Take: Minister off to the US

Minister of Foreign Affairs James Huang (黃志芳) yesterday said that he will travel to Seattle next week to meet diplomats stationed on the US west coast. During an informal meeting with members of the media, Huang also said that he would deliver a speech at Stanford University. Huang said he had no prior arrangements to meet with US officials, but that he would exchange views with US experts privately. The minister added that Taiwan's diplomatic plight was tougher now than at any time in the last two decades. He added that the nation's relationship with Burkina Faso was more complex than its ties with other diplomatic allies in Africa, and that Burkina Faso President Blaise Compaore has promised to visit Taiwan by the end of the year.