Taiwan says it respects decision to cancel U.S. visit

TAIPEI, Jan 13 (Reuters) - Taiwan's Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday it "understood and respected" a decision by the U.S. State Department to cancel a visit to the island by the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Kelly Craft.

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs regrets that the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Kelly Craft cannot lead a delegation to visit Taiwan from Jan. 13 to 15 as scheduled, but welcomes Ambassador Craft to visit at an appropriate time in the future," it said in a statement. (Reporting by Ben Blanchard Editing by Chris Reese)