ROC President Ma Ying-jeou launched the Hello, Mr. President! photo exhibition Sept. 16 at National Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall in Taipei City, describing the event as highlighting the strength of Taiwan-U.S. relations.
“This exhibition showcases important events and decisions over the years, putting bilateral ties in perspective and providing an opportunity for all sections of society to better understand our special partnership,” Ma said. “I urge all members of society to work together and help take Taiwan-U.S. relations to new heights.”
Organized by the ROC Ministry of Foreign Affairs in conjunction with Taipei-based Central News Agency, the 43-day exhibition features 180 photos and more than 50 letters and items of historical interest furnished by the MOFA, CNA and other organizations in Taiwan and the U.S.
According to Ma, Taipei-Washington ties have developed apace since he took office in May 2008 under the government’s viable diplomacy and low-profile and surprise-free approach to the bilateral relationship.
“Despite an absence of formal diplomatic ties, Taiwan and the U.S. have maintained mutual assistance and trust through other forms of exchanges,” Ma said. “We look forward to developing ties further on this solid foundation.”
The president also said former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary R. Clinton’s statement that Taiwan is an important strategic and economic partner of the U.S. accurately encapsulates the current state of bilateral relations.
Other dignitaries attending the launch included MOFA Minister David Y. L. Lin; American Institute in Taiwan Director Christopher Marut; Gerald R. Ford Foundation Executive Director Joseph Calvaruso; late U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s granddaughter Mary Jean Eisenhower; and Eisenhower Memorial Commission Executive Director Carl Reddel.
Echoing Ma’s remarks, Lin said the U.S. is a staunch ally and firm friend of the ROC, and Taipei is grateful for the friendship and timely support of Washington during some of the most difficult times faced by the nation.
“This exhibition provides a retrospective of the opportunities and challenges the two nations have faced together in the past,” Lin added.
In the same vein, Marut said Taiwan and the U.S. have continued building stronger ties over time. “That relationship is healthy and rests upon the foundation of common values, including the shared commitment to freedom and democracy.”
Marut said people-to-people exchanges are one of the most important pillars of the Taiwan-U.S. relationship, and the exhibition photos capture some momentous events in this respect.
Citing Taiwan’s admission to the U.S. Visa Waiver Program in October 2012 as an example, Marut lauded the development as an example of the hard work people from both countries have done and continue to do in promoting and developing two-way ties.
Following the launch, a special seminar studying Taiwan-U.S. mutual trust and friendship kicked off at the memorial hall.
Moderated by Shao Yu-ming, chairman of Taiwan Public Television, the seminar features panelists including former ROC Representative to the U.S. Stephen S.F. Chen; John H. Chiang, a vice chairman of the ruling Kuomintang; former MOFA Minister Fredrick Fu Chien; Bruce J.D. Linghu, director of MOFA’s Department of North American Affairs; and former AIT Director William Stanton. (SFC-JSM)
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