The friendship and support extended to Taiwan by the executive and legislative branches of the U.S. are sincerely appreciated by the government and people, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Jan. 1.
Taiwan-U.S. relations have gone from strength to strength in recent years as a result of joint efforts by both sides, the MOFA said following U.S. President Donald J. Trump’s signing into law the previous day of the Asia Reassurance Initiative Act of 2018.
Passed Dec. 4 and Dec. 12 by the Senate and House of Representatives, respectively, the law serves as a framework to improve U.S. leadership in the region and demonstrate its commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific and rules-based international order.
In a dedicated section on Taiwan, the act states that it is the policy of the U.S. to support the close economic, political and security relationship between the two sides and faithfully enforce all existing commitments consistent with the Taiwan Relations Act and Six Assurances.
The law urges the U.S. president to conduct regular transfers of defense articles and encourage visits by high-level officials in accordance with the Taiwan Travel Act. It also recognizes the value of engagement between Taiwan and Association of Southeast Asian Nations member states.
According to the MOFA, the signing of the bill is particularly significant as 2019 marks the 40th anniversary of the TRA. Taiwan will continue to expand cooperation across the board and at all levels with the U.S. under the principles of mutual trust and mutual benefits, the ministry added.
The same day, the Office of the President also released a statement expressing gratitude to the U.S. president for signing the act into law. The ARIA reiterates the U.S. commitment to Taiwan’s security, affirms the importance of the partnership between the two sides, and stands as a robust symbol of their shared values of democracy, freedom and human rights, the office said.
As a responsible member of the international community, Taiwan will continue working hand in hand with the U.S. and other like-minded nations to promote peace, prosperity, stability and development in the Indo-Pacific, the Office of the President added. (KWS-E)
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