Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar met with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen on Monday during the highest-level visit by an American Cabinet official since the break in formal diplomatic ties between Washington and Taipei in 1979. Azar praised Taiwan's response to COVID-19 and said its success was a tribute to the "open, transparent, democratic nature of Taiwan's society and culture." "It's a true honor to be here to convey a message of strong support and friendship from President Trump to Taiwan," Azar said. Azar and Taiwan's Health and Welfare Minister Chen Shih-chung witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Monday. Azar was given a tour of the National Health Command Center in Taipei before the MOU signing ceremony. The secretary said his visit represents an acknowledgement of the United States and Taiwan's "deep friendship and partnership". This week's visit by Azar to Taiwan comes amid mounting tensions between Washington and Beijing, which claims Taiwan as its own territory to be annexed by force if necessary.