President Ma Ying-jeou said Oct. 23 that Taiwan-U.S. relations are continuously strengthening, characterized by high levels of mutual trust between Taipei and Washington.
“Tremendous improvements have been made in the bilateral relationship since I took office in May 2008,” Ma said. “The visit by Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Gina McCarthy to Taiwan in April for the launch of the International Environment Partnership is testament to these rock-solid ties.”
Ma made the remarks while receiving a delegation from the National Committee on American Foreign Policy at the Presidential Office in Taipei City.
Led by NCAFP President George D. Schwab, the delegation includes J. Stapleton Roy of Washington-based think tank Wilson Center, Ralph A. Cossa, president of the Pacific Forum Center for Strategic and International Studies in Honolulu. Christopher J. Marut, director of the American Institute in Taiwan, was also present.
According to Ma, Taiwan and the U.S. have made significant headway on key issues, with Taipei and Washington holding two rounds of talks since March last year under the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement.
The president called for both sides to fast track negotiations of a bilateral investment agreement so as to further bolster two-way trade and the economic partnership.
As part of celebrations commemorating the 35th anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act, members of U.S. academia, congress and executive branch organized a series of activities in recognition of the essential role the legislation has played in promoting bilateral ties, Ma said.
Other achievements cited by the president include Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Russel reaffirming on several occasions U.S. commitment to the Taiwan Relations Act.
“Regional stability is also of great importance to both sides,” Ma said. “Cross-strait relations continue developing in a peaceful and positive manner, with Taiwan and mainland China concluding 21 agreements and reaching two points of consensus over the past six years.”
“At the same time,” the president said, “Taiwan is expanding ties with other trading partners and signed a fisheries agreement with Japan and peacefully resolved fishing disputes with the Philippines.”
Ma also reaffirmed Taiwan’s commitment to providing humanitarian aid, pledging 100,000 sets of personal protective equipment and US$1 million in the fight against the Ebola virus. (SFC-JSM)
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