Taiwan's relationship with its most important global backer has gotten off to a strong start with U.S. President Joe Biden's new administration, after the island's de facto ambassador attended his inauguration.
Former President Donald Trump's administration ramped up support for Taiwan, increasing arms sales and sending senior officials to Taipei, angering China and stirring even greater enmity from Beijing towards Washington.
That had made Trump a popular figure in democratic Taiwan, which China views as its own territory, to be taken by force if needed, and unnerved the government that Biden may not be as helpful.