William Brent Christensen

William Brent Christensen is an American diplomat who served as director of the U.S. State Department's Office of Taiwan coordination, deputy director and director of the American Institute in Taiwan and Chargé d'Affaires of the U.S. Mission to ICAO.

Early life and education Christensen is a native of Provo, Utah, and great-great-grandson of C. C. A. Christensen, a Danish American artist. He earned a BA in Chinese language and literature from Brigham Young University, an MA in East Asian Studies from George Washington University, and a DMD (Doctor of Dental Medicine) from the Oregon Health & Science University. Christensen served as a captain in the U.S. Air Force before joining the Foreign Service.

In December 2023, it was announced Christensen will teach at Brigham Young University, having retired from the State Department.

Honors and awards On June 18, 2021, he was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Social Science from National Sun Yat-sen University (NSYSU).

On June 24, 2021, Christensen was awarded Grand Medal of Diplomacy by Taiwan's ministry of foreign affairs.

On June 25, 2021, Christensen was conferred Presidential Office Order of the Brilliant Star with Grand Cordon by Taiwan's president Tsai Ing-wen.