In the News

AIT director to teach in Taiwan after retirement

MOFA Minister Timothy Chin-tien Yang (left) and AIT Director William A. Stanton toast American Independence Day in Taipei City. (CNA)

• Publication Date：07/04/2012
• Source： Taiwan Today
• By  Rachel Chan

William A. Stanton, outgoing director of the American Institute in Taiwan, said July 3 that he will take up a teaching position in Taiwan after retiring from his post at the end of the month.

“I have enjoyed living in Taiwan so much that I have decided to stay on here to teach at the Taipei American School,” Stanton said.

Stanton, 65, who is de facto U.S. ambassador to the ROC in the absence of formal diplomatic relations, made the remarks at an American Fourth of July event in Taipei City.

Describing the function as a “bittersweet” moment, Stanton said this was because it was his last official Independence Day celebration after 34 years of U.S. foreign service.

Stanton praised the robust nature of Taiwan-U.S. relations, describing them as going from strength to strength across every sector.

“For more than six decades, our friendship, shared values and cooperation have brought out the best in both of us,” he said. “Working alone, neither of us could have accomplished what we have done together in so many different fields, including education, health, science and technology, security and trade.”

According to Stanton, this healthy state of affairs is also evidenced by Taiwan’s Visa Waiver Program candidacy, record-high arms sales and a steady stream of visits by senior U.S. officials.

The first AIT director to stay in Taiwan after retirement, Stanton will start his new job teaching English literature and foreign relations in August. He joins former representatives to Taiwan Henrik Bystrom of Sweden and Menno Goedhart of the Netherlands in electing to call the island home after retirement. (JSM)

Write to Rachel Chan at ccchan@mofa.gov.tw