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Washington, Taipei to maintain 'warm' ties, Burghardt says

US and Taiwan relations will continue to be "warm and quite special," whoever wins this year's presidential elections in Taipei and Washington, because Americans and Taiwanese share "very strong and mutual interests," American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Chairman Raymond Burghardt said on Thursday.

Burghardt gave his optimistic assessment on US-Taiwan relations in remarks before the annual AIT Lunar New Year party in Washington, which was attended by about 200 officials from Taiwan and the US, journalists and people with a history of involvement in and concern for US-Taiwan relations.

"We know that next year, before we have this party again, there will be a new leader in both Taiwan and in Washington," Burghardt said. "I am confident that whoever wins in either case ... that they will continue the warm and quite special relationship between Taiwan and America."

Speaking directly to the US officials, Taiwanese diplomats, journalists and people who play crucial roles in day-to-day and longer range bilateral relations, Burghardt said they "are exactly the people who care about the relationship, and who value it, and who will make sure that the relationship stays strong and open regardless of who our leaders are in Taipei and Washington."

"[That is] because we know that the relationship is first and foremost one between our people, and we have very strong and mutual interests, and first and foremost the respect for democracy," Burghardt said during the three-hour fete.

The AIT chairman played down the divisions that often surface between the US and Taiwan as part of the normal process between two democracies.

"Despite what it might seem at times, all of that wide coverage [in the media about the disagreements] and all of that wide discussion [are] an inherent part of what democracy is all about," he said.

In the long run, "it is healthy for both our countries, and it also healthy for our future relationship. I am confident in that optimism," he said.

The de facto Taiwanese ambassador to Washington, Joseph Wu (吳釗燮), also spoke at the gathering, but did not want his comments reported in the media.
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