WASHINGTON: U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Saturday said he was lifting "self-imposed restrictions" on the relationship between the United States and Taiwan.

"Today I am announcing that I am lifting all of these self-imposed restrictions," Pompeo said in a statement.

"Executive branch agencies should consider all 'contact guidelines' regarding relations with Taiwan previously issued by the Department of State under authorities delegated to the Secretary of State to be null and void," he added.