TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Bloomberg has named Taiwanese Representative to the U.S. Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) has been named one of the eight most important people to watch in 2021.
The media company released its shortlist on Friday (Jan. 22, Taipei time) with names it said the public would be seeing more of in 2021. In addition to Hsiao, the list includes George Forsyth, a Peruvian football player-turned-politician, and 49-year-old Alexander Novak, who recently became Russia's deputy prime minister.
On Hsiao, journalist Chris Horton wrote that she will “play a key role” in Taiwan’s efforts to keep its relationship with the U.S. warm during the Biden administration. Hsiao assumed her position in July, and she called Secretary of State nominee Anthony Blinken in November to send her congratulations to Joe Biden and Kamala Harris on their election victory.
Spoke to Biden policy advisor @ABlinken to convey Taiwan’s congratulations to the President-elect. Appreciated bipartisan support for US relations with #Taiwan and hope to continue close cooperation with the US in coming years. pic.twitter.com/ayCUUtJOns
— Bi-khim Hsiao 蕭美琴 (@bikhim) November 15, 2020
Another key figure on the list is Katherine Tai, the nominee for U.S. trade representative.
Tai has been the chief trade counsel for the House Ways and Means Committee. If her new position is confirmed, she will face the protracted trade dispute between the U.S. and China as well as pending reforms to the World Trade Organization.
