President Lai Ching-te said Nov. 26 that Taiwan is committed to strengthening security cooperation with the U.S. while deepening bilateral economic and trade ties to make further contributions to regional peace, stability and development of global prosperity.
Lai made the remarks when meeting at the Presidential Office in Taipei City with a U.S. delegation led by Jeff Merkley, U.S. senator and cochair of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China.
The president first thanked Merkley for his long-term support of Taiwan through speaking in the U.S. Congress, citing last year’s Taiwan Relations Reinforcement Act. Lai also noted a resolution reaffirming U.S. commitment to Taiwan and recognizing the 45th anniversary of the enactment of the Taiwan Relations Act, which was sponsored by Merkley and Senator Marco Rubio earlier this year.
Taiwan will continue to maintain the cross-strait status quo and uphold freedom and democracy, the president said, reiterating that the ROC (Taiwan) and the People’s Republic of China are not subordinate to each other. The country will continue to enhance its self-defense capability and advance military procurement, he said, adding that the annual national defense budget has increased by 80 percent over the past eight years.
The government is also committed to reinforcing economic resilience, as evidenced by the changing destinations of overseas investment: China accounted for 80 percent of the total in 2011 and this has been reduced to just 11.4 percent in 2023, Lai noted. The president further pledged to expand the economic relationship with the U.S. through future negotiations under the U.S.-Taiwan Initiative on 21st Century Trade and urged swift processing of a bill to resolve double taxation issues.
In response, Merkley praised Taiwan’s democracy and promised to promote bilateral collaboration in areas spanning military security to climate change and other global issues. The senator further reaffirmed U.S. Congressional support for Taiwan during the U.S. administration transition.
Following the meeting, Merkley and his delegation were received by Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim, who expressed anticipation of continued robust Taiwan-U.S. relations.
According to the MOFA, Merkley’s itinerary included a meeting with National Security Council Secretary-General Jaushieh Joseph Wu and a banquet hosted by Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung during his Nov. 25-27 stay. (YCH-E)
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