The American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) yesterday held a reception to celebrate the 234th birthday of the US, with AIT Director William Stanton and Minister of Foreign Affairs Timothy Yang (楊進添) proposing a toast to everlasting friendship between the two countries.
The US Navy’s 7th Fleet Band’s Jazz Combo opened the reception with a performance of a medley of American music, followed by members of the Boy Scouts of America bringing in the colors.
“Today, although I am far away from my home in New Jersey, I can’t think of a better place than Taiwan to celebrate this important holiday,” Stanton said in his toast in Mandarin.
PHOTO: CHANG CHIA-MING, TAIPEI TIMES
Taiwan and the US share similar goals, Stanton said.
“We are both democracies where the people cherish freedom and have reason to be proud of all their accomplishments. We must work together vigorously to strengthen our deep and enduring ties,” he said.
Stanton said he has relished the chance to travel all over Taiwan and meet many great people since he assumed the post in August last year.
“I would like to offer a toast to the people of Taiwan and the people of the US, to our shared commitment to democracy and to our continuing friendship,” Stanton said.
On behalf of the Taiwanese government, Yang expressed his good wishes to the US and added that the Republic of China, the first democracy in Asia, is the staunchest ally of the US and shares the same ideals as those of the US.
The Taiwanese government will continue to enhance its substantial cooperation with the US on various issues on the basis of the already significant links between the two nations, he added.
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