President Tsai vowed March 28 to continue working with the U.S. to enhance cooperation among democracies and jointly advance global security, stability and prosperity.
Tsai made the remarks while receiving a bipartisan delegation led by Rep. Jack Bergman, chair of the Subcommittee on Intelligence and Special Operations under the House Armed Services Committee, at the Presidential Office in Taipei City. Other members of the group include Reps. Jimmy Panetta and Don Norcross, chair of the Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces.
The president thanked the representatives for their long-term efforts to boost bilateral exchanges and maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.
According to Tsai, Taiwan continues to strengthen its national defense capabilities, as evidenced by the production of indigenous aircraft and ships. The country is determined to safeguard its sovereignty and way of life, she said.
The president took the opportunity to express gratitude to the U.S. government and Congress for bolstering Taiwan’s self-defense through the National Defense Authorization Act and Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024, the latter of which incorporated military assistance for Taiwan into the budget, Tsai said, adding that the U.S. has promised to speed up the delivery of military equipment.
In addition to security collaboration, recent years have also seen closer economic and trade exchanges between the two sides, the president said, voicing hope that the representatives would help resolve the issue of double taxation to further stimulate mutual investment and industrial cooperation.
In response, Bergman said Taiwan is a key partner of the U.S. in the Indo-Pacific and the two sides have a robust economic and security bond. During their visit, delegation members aim to explore further measures Taiwan and the U.S. can take to deter China’s growing aggression in the region, he added. (POC-E)
Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw