The US is sending the highest level cabinet official to Taiwan since cutting diplomatic ties with Taipei 41 years ago, reflecting rising support for the country in Washington in the face of growing Chinese aggression.

Alex Azar, the US health secretary, will lead a delegation to Taipei “in the coming days”, he wrote on Twitter, in the midst of a push by the Trump administration to adopt a tougher approach to China. Beijing claims Taiwan as its territory and has threatened to invade if Taipei refuses to come under China’s control indefinitely.

“Beijing will no doubt be very displeased but it has devalued the currency of its anger to an extent in 2020 through overuse,” said Mark Harrison, a Taiwan expert at the University of Tasmania. “Beijing may well understand the visit in the context of the uncertain election outcome in the US in November and will no doubt be looking towards 2021 in any responses it makes.”