Typescript: TSX: Can't use a component stored in a variable

Repro

Suppose I have a component called MyComponent.

Using MyComponent like this works:

render() {
  return <MyComponent />;
}

but storing MyComponent in a variable and then trying to use it does not:

render() {
  var anAlias = MyComponent;
  return <anAlias />;
}

It results in the following error:

error TS2339: Property 'anAlias' does not exist on type 'JSX.IntrinsicElements'.

Workaround

Instead of using TSX, use React.createElement:

render() {
  var anAlias = MyComponent;
  return React.createElement(anAlias);
}