TAIPEI/SYDNEY (Reuters) -Taiwan said it welcomed a senior Fijian diplomat this week who met with Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim, a highly unusual trip given the Pacific island state only has formal relations with Beijing, which decries any international exchanges with Taipei.

Taiwan’s presidential office said late on Wednesday that Filipo Tarakinikini, Fiji’s permanent representative to the United Nations – of which Taiwan is not a member – had met Hsiao as part of a delegation of other UN ambassadors, including from the Marshal Islands and Paraguay which are Taiwanese allies.

Hsiao expressed “heartfelt thanks to the permanent representatives, as friends of Taiwan, for their longstanding support and assistance, which have helped Taiwan play a meaningful role in the international system, es

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