Taiwan is committed to strengthening its cooperation with the U.S. while safeguarding freedom and democracy to ensure peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific, according to President Tsai Ing-wen Nov. 26.
Since the onset of the pandemic, Taiwan and the U.S. have been working hand in hand to control COVID-19 through sharing supplies and experience, Tsai said. The country is deeply grateful for the U.S. donation of 4 million vaccine doses, she added.
Tsai made the remarks while receiving a delegation of U.S. representatives led by Mark Takano, chairman of the U.S. House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.
According to Tsai, veterans’ affairs is one area in which Taiwan and the U.S. have cooperated closely over the last few years. This is evidenced by the scheduled establishment of an official base for Taiwan’s Veterans Affairs Council in Washington next year, she said.
The bilateral partnership has strengthened in other areas as well, Tsai said, citing the example of the recent launch of Taiwan’s first squadron of F-16V fighters. This upgrade highlights the success of extensive cooperation between the two countries’ defense industries, she added.
In terms of trade, Taiwan has opened its market to U.S. pork and the Taiwan-U.S. Trade and Investment Framework Agreement resumed earlier this year, laying a solid foundation for a strong bilateral economic partnership, the president said.
Tsai took the opportunity to thank the visiting members of the bipartisan delegation for supporting Taiwan and working to advance exchange between the two countries.
In response, Takano praised Taiwan for being a world leader in the global response to the pandemic. Taiwan was the largest international donor of COVID-19-related medical equipment to the U.S., he said, adding that the country has been equally generous to its 15 diplomatic partners and other countries around the world.
The U.S. commitment to Taiwan is rock-solid and has remained steadfast as bilateral ties have deepened, Takano said. Taiwan is a democratic success story, a reliable partner and a force for good in the world, he said, adding that the U.S. is immensely proud that the friendship and trust shared with Taiwan has flourished. (DL-E)
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