Taiwan picks veteran diplomat as new US envoy

FILE PHOTO: Former Taiwan Vice Foreign Minister Alexander Yui speaks at a press conference in Taipei, Taiwan July 17, 2023. REUTERS/Ben Blanchard/File Photo

TAIPEI (Reuters) - Taiwan on Wednesday appointed a veteran diplomat as its new de facto ambassador to the United States, Taipei's highest-profile global posting despite a lack of formal diplomatic ties, after the previous ambassador quit to run for vice president.

Hsiao Bi-khim, well-connected in Washington, resigned from the job as U.S. envoy this month to be the running mate for current Vice President Lai Ching-te in Taiwan's Jan. 13 presidential election. President Tsai Ing-wen cannot run again after two terms in office.