Image The last high-level American official to visit Taiwan was Deputy Secretary of State Warren Christopher in 1978. After he announced the U.S. was breaking off official diplomatic ties, his car was attacked by an angry mob. Credit... Marcy Nighswander/Associated Press

Taiwan is trying to build on its deep historical bonds with the United States. Those go back to 1949, when America’s World War II ally Chiang Kai-shek fled to this island after his government’s defeat by the Communists under Mao Zedong. During the Cold War, the United States stationed troops there to protect Taiwan, and recognized Chiang’s Republic of China as the legitimate government of China for three decades.

When the United States switched diplomatic recognition to the People’s Republic in order to get its cooperation against the Soviet Union, Congress passed the Taiwan Relations Act promising to give Taiwan the means to defend itself.

While the United States closed its official embassy, it has maintained an unofficial presence here via the institute, which is headquartered in Virginia, not Washington. Legally described as a nonprofit organization, the institute is staffed by American diplomats who issue visas and perform most functions of a regular diplomatic mission.

The institute has about 450 diplomats and local staff, roughly just under half the size of America’s embassy in Beijing.

The roots of this new visibility of United States-Taiwan ties reach into previous administrations. The lease on the institute’s new site was signed during the administration of President George W. Bush, and most of the construction was done during the Obama administration.

While the June 12 ceremony may fall on the same day as a landmark summit meeting between Mr. Trump and the leader of North Korea, it will be big news here.