Diplomatic relations between the United States and Taiwan were recently strengthened after U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo lifted decades-old “contact guidelines” on how U.S. officials should interact with their Taiwanese counterparts. The decision was condemned by the Chinese regime. Some experts said the U.S. decision makes clear why China, like Taiwan, should develop into a free nation that can engage openly with other countries. Beijing claims the self-ruled island as part of its territory, although Taiwan has its own military, democratically-elected government, and currency. In the announcement made on Jan. 9, Pompeo explained the reason for lifting the “self-imposed restrictions” that have regulated diplomats, service members, and other officials’ interactions with their Taiwanese counterparts: “Taiwan is a vibrant democracy and reliable partner of the United States, and yet for several decades the State Department has created complex internal restrictions to regulate our diplomats, service members, and other officials’ interactions …