President Lai Ching-te received a bipartisan delegation from the U.S. Senate at the Presidential Office May 29 in Taipei City, reaffirming commitment to Taiwan’s role as a pilot for global peace and contributing to regional prosperity and development.
Arriving earlier in the day, the 16-member group was led by Tammy Duckworth and comprises fellow lawmakers Dan Sullivan, Chris Coons and Laphonza Butler, as well as their staff, the PO said.
According to the president, Duckworth, Sullivan and Coons traveled to Taiwan in 2021 to announce a U.S. donation of vaccines to Taiwan during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, while Butler is visiting for the first time in her current capacity.
Lai praised the senators for deepening Taiwan-U.S. relations, citing their support for legislation such as the annual National Defense Authorization Act and the recently passed Indo-Pacific Security Supplemental Appropriation Act that includes initiatives and resources related to Taiwan. Their visit demonstrates the strong partnership between the two sides, and is sincerely appreciated by the government and people, he added.
In response, Duckworth said the U.S. has a responsibility to show up and support its friends, adding that the Taiwan friendship is rooted in shared democratic and other values across many different aspects of society. The senator announced that she will be joining Sullivan on his STAND with Taiwan Act and hopes the bill will be introduced as soon as possible after their return to Washington.
Echoing Duckworth’s remarks, Sullivan said the delegation’s visit demonstrates the U.S.’ 75 years of rock-solid, principled and bipartisan support for Taiwan, which will always continue. (SFC-E)
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