Taiwan is to work more closely with the US on defense and other exchanges as China unilaterally destabilizes regional peace, President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) said yesterday in a meeting with US officials.
Tsai met with American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Chairman James Moriarty at the Presidential Office Building, where they discussed shared ideas about democracy and talked about the enduring Taiwan-US relationship.
Tsai thanked the US and other nations of “similar [political] philosophies” for their support as Taiwan faces the challenges presented by Chinese aggression.
Photo: CNA
Taiwanese were deeply touched by Washington and others speaking up on Taiwan’s behalf when China pressured international airlines to change Taiwan’s designation on their Web sites, she said.
The nation would continue to work closely with the US for the benefit of the people of both nations, and would face challenges to regional peace and stability together, Tsai said, adding that the US has a special understanding of the situation facing Taiwan.
Tsai, who attended Tuesday’s dedication of the new AIT compound in Taipei’s Neihu District (內湖), said the structure is symbolic of the enduring relationship between the two nations, which “becomes ever more resolute with the passing of time.”
The compound — which cost US$255.6 million — was an investment in the two nations’ relationship by the US, she said.
Tsai quoted Moriarty as saying in a speech at Stanford University last month that Taiwan serves as a successful example of democracy not only for the region, but the entire world, adding that the relationship between the two nations has its foundation in shared democratic values.
Tsai also thanked the US for approving US military contractors to sell components to Taiwan for its domestic submarine program, and said that Taiwan would work closely with the US on regional defense in the face of heightened tensions caused by increased Chinese military activity.
Moriarty said that from the passage of the Taiwan Travel Act in March, people could see that the US was fully committed to fulfilling its promises to Taiwan.
The US would unceasingly strive to guarantee Taiwan’s ability to have a voice in international contexts, he said.
Tsai also spoke with US Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs Marie Royce at the Presidential Office Building.
Tsai said she was happy to see Royce again, who she described as an old friend, adding that Royce’s visit represented the US’ support for Taiwan.
From 2016 to last year, 21,516 Taiwanese students attended schools in the US and 3,200 Taiwanese students were involved in exchange programs in the US, Royce said.
Each of those students has had their life changed through studying in the US, Royce said, adding that she believed Tsai could deeply relate to that experience.
Tsai received her master’s degree from Cornell University Law School in 1980.
Royce said she was looking at how the two nations could strengthen cultural and educational exchanges.
While Royce is responsible for managing educational and cultural affairs, she is also a successful entrepreneur and educator, Tsai said.
“As someone with many years of experience in the area of international cultural and educational exchanges, we very much look forward to working closely with her,” Tsai said.
TRAGEDY STRIKES TAIPEI: The suspect died after falling off a building after he threw smoke grenades into Taipei Main Station and went on a killing spree in Zhongshan A 27-year-old suspect allegedly threw smoke grenades in Taipei Main Station and then proceeded to Zhongshan MRT Station in a random killing spree that resulted in the death of the suspect and two other civilians, and seven injured, including one in critical condition, as of press time last night. The suspect, identified as a man surnamed Chang Wen (張文), allegedly began the attack at Taipei Main Station, the Taipei Fire Department said, adding that it received a report at 5:24pm that smoke grenades had been thrown in the station. One man in his 50s was rushed to hospital after a cardiac arrest
PUBLIC SAFETY: The premier said that security would be tightened in transport hubs, while President Lai commended the public for their bravery The government is to deploy more police, including rapid response units, in crowded public areas to ensure a swift response to any threats, President William Lai (賴清德) said yesterday after a knife attack killed three people and injured 11 in Taipei the previous day. Lai made the remarks following a briefing by the National Police Agency on the progress of the investigation, saying that the attack underscored the importance of cooperation in public security between the central and local governments. The attack unfolded in the early evening on Friday around Taipei Main Station’s M7 exit and later near the Taipei MRT’s Zhongshan
ON ALERT: Taiwan’s partners would issue warnings if China attempted to use Interpol to target Taiwanese, and the global body has mechanisms to prevent it, an official said China has stationed two to four people specializing in Taiwan affairs at its embassies in several democratic countries to monitor and harass Taiwanese, actions that the host nations would not tolerate, National Security Bureau (NSB) Director-General Tsai Ming-yen (蔡明彥) said yesterday. Tsai made the comments at a meeting of the legislature’s Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee, which asked him and Minister of National Defense Wellington Koo (顧立雄) to report on potential conflicts in the Taiwan Strait and military preparedness. Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Michelle Lin (林楚茵) expressed concern that Beijing has posted personnel from China’s Taiwan Affairs Office to its
‘ILLEGAL RULING’: The KMT and the TPP slammed the Constitutional Court judgement, saying it contravened the law and was trying to clear the way for a ‘green dictatorship’ The Constitutional Court yesterday ruled that amendments to the Constitutional Court Procedure Act (憲法訴訟法) passed by the Legislative Yuan last year are unconstitutional, as they contravene due legislative process and separation of powers. The Legislative Yuan on Dec. 20 last year passed amendments stipulating that no fewer than 10 grand justices must take part in deliberations of the Constitutional Court, and at least nine grand justices must agree to declare a law unconstitutional. The Executive Yuan on Jan. 2 requested that lawmakers reconsider the bill, but the Legislative Yuan, under a combined majority of Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) and Taiwan People’s Party
RSS