ROC President Ma Ying-jeou praised the strength of Taiwan-U.S. relations Nov. 1, vowing to bolster bilateral exchanges across a wide range of areas.
“Since I took office in May 2008, I have been boosting Taiwan-U.S. relations and restoring mutual trust,” Ma said. “Bilateral ties are at their highest level since Washington severed diplomatic relations with Taipei in 1979.”
The president made the remarks while receiving a U.S. Congressional Taiwan Caucus delegation at the Presidential Office in Taipei City. The group comprised U.S. Rep. John Carter and Legislative Director Steve Gilleland.
Ma said the healthy state of bilateral ties is underscored by the fact that U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and his predecessor Hillary Clinton described Taiwan as an important partner of the U.S. He added that Kin Moy, deputy assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs, said Oct. 3 that a critical part of Washington’s strategy is building the comprehensive, durable, mutually beneficial relationship between the U.S. and Taiwan.
The president highlighted concrete progress in Taiwan-U.S. relations, including admission of the ROC into the U.S. Visa-Waiver Program in November 2012; renewal of the agreement on diplomatic staff privileges, exemptions and immunities in February; resumption of talks under the Taiwan-U.S. Trade and Investment Framework Agreement in June; and support for Taiwan’s participation in the International Civil Aviation Organization and World Health Assembly.
Ma urged Washington to sell F16 C/D fighter jets to Taiwan. “U.S. backing plays an important role in our promotion of Taiwan-mainland China ties, reducing tensions across the strait and helping promote regional peace. This approach has won approval in the international community.”
Separately, the ROC Ministry of Foreign Affairs highlighted the anniversary of Taiwan’s VWP accession Nov. 1, describing the development as a landmark accomplishment that has spurred travel from Taiwan to the U.S.
Citing U.S. Department of Commerce statistics, the MOFA said the monthly number of ROC visitors to the U.S. grew 34.2 percent year on year to over 20,000 in December 2012. The ministry added that the decision to include Taipei as a destination by Hawaiian Airlines Inc. in July and resumption of direct flights between Taiwan and San Francisco by United Airlines Inc. next March reflects the health of bilateral exchanges.
The American Institute in Taipei issued a news release the same day, stating that Taiwan’s VWP inclusion was the result of a long-term cooperative effort by Taiwan and the U.S. (RC-JSM)
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