President Tsai Ing-wen said April 30 that Taiwan-U.S. ties are going from strength to strength across a broad spectrum of areas spanning investment, security and trade cooperation.
Deepening relations between the two sides are evidenced by the promulgation in March of the Taiwan Travel Act, Tsai said. This legislation demonstrates firm U.S. support for expanding exchanges and developing a more robust bilateral partnership, she added.
Tsai made the remarks while receiving U.S. Rep. Ruben Gallego at the Office of the President in Taipei City. The congressman is on his first trip to Taiwan April 29 to May 2 to discuss issues including economic and security collaboration.
According to the president, the U.S. security commitment to Taiwan in line with the Taiwan Relations Act and Six Assurances is underscored by the announcement of a major arms package last June as well as the U.S. Department of State’s decision in April to grant a marketing license for American companies to sell technology that would allow for domestic submarine development. These measures not only help advance regional peace and stability, but also highlight U.S. determination to support its partners in the Asia-Pacific, she said.
On the trade front, the two sides enjoy complementary and mutually beneficial relations, Tsai said, adding that Taiwan has responded positively to U.S. efforts to boost investment and will continue to explore fresh avenues for economic collaboration.
The president expressed gratitude to Gallego for voicing support in the U.S. Congress for Taiwan’s meaningful participation in global organizations such as the World Health Assembly—the decision-making body of the World Health Organization—the International Civil Aviation Organization and Interpol.
Although China continues to obstruct the nation’s attendance at the WHA, Taiwan is determined to expand its international space and contributions, pragmatically promote its participation in global bodies, and enhance collaboration with the U.S. and other like-minded nations, Tsai said.
The Taiwan Travel Act, signed into law March 16 by U.S. President Donald J. Trump, states it should be the policy of the U.S. to authorize officials at all levels to visit Taiwan to meet with their counterparts and allow high-level officials from Taiwan to enter the U.S. under conditions demonstrating appropriate respect for the dignity of such officials. (KWS-E)
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