President Tsai Ing-wen said June 7 that Taiwan is committed to working with the U.S. to further develop the bilateral partnership by establishing more strategic regional security cooperation, broader economic and trade ties, and stronger mutual trust.
Taiwan and the U.S. share the same goal of maintaining regional and cross-strait peace and stability, Tsai said. As a reliable partner, the country will continue purchasing appropriate defensive weaponry from the U.S. while at the same time working to develop the indigenous defense industry, she added.
Tsai made the remarks while receiving Samuel J. Locklear, former chief of U.S. Pacific Command, at the Office of the President in Taipei City. The retired U.S. Navy admiral is in Taiwan June 4-8 at the head of a three-member delegation from Seattle-based think tank The National Bureau of Asian Research (NBR).
The government and people of Taiwan are grateful for Locklear’s longstanding support of Taiwan-U.S. military exchanges, the president said, adding that NBR’s firm backing of Taiwan is also appreciated.
Tsai said she expects bilateral ties will develop apace and the U.S. will continue assisting Taiwan on the basis of the Taiwan Relations Act and the Six Assurances.
Signed into law in 1979 following the switch of recognition from Taipei to Beijing by the U.S., the TRA authorizes the continuation of substantive relations between the people of the U.S. and the people on Taiwan in the absence of diplomatic ties between them, as well as to help maintain peace, security and stability in the western Pacific.
Regarding economic and trade exchanges, Tsai said she expects Taiwan and the U.S. to continue growing this aspect of the bilateral relationship so as to ensure a win-win situation. At the same time, Taiwan is committed to contributing to international society, she added.
According to the president, it is hoped that under existing bilateral and multilateral frameworks, Taiwan and the U.S. will expand joint cooperation in areas like anti-terrorism, digital economy, humanitarian aid, public health and the empowerment of women for the benefit of both sides, the region and rest of the world.
Tsai also acknowledged the backing of the U.S. and other like-minded nations for Taiwan’s bid to participate as an observer at the 70th World Health Assembly May 22-31 in Geneva. Although the country was not invited to the decision-making body of the World Health Organization, the president said such support represents the highest recognition of Taiwan’s contribution to international health while underscoring its status as an indispensable partner of the global community.
Established in 1989 with major grants from the Henry M. Jackson Foundation and Boeing Co., NBR conducts advanced independent research on economic, energy, health, globalization, political and strategic issues affecting U.S. relations with Asia. (SFC-E)
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