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.
Tropical Storm Gaemi strengthened into a typhoon at 2pm yesterday, and could make landfall in Yilan County tomorrow, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said yesterday. The agency was scheduled to issue a sea warning at 11:30pm yesterday, and could issue a land warning later today. Gaemi was moving north-northwest at 4kph, carrying maximum sustained winds near its center of up to 118.8kph and gusts of 154.8kph. The circumference is forecast to reach eastern Taiwan tomorrow morning, with the center making landfall in Yilan County later that night before departing from the north coast, CWA weather forecaster Kuan Shin-ping (官欣平) said yesterday. Uncertainty remains and
SEA WARNING LIKELY: The storm, named Gaemi, could become a moderate typhoon on Wednesday or Thursday, with the Taipei City Government preparing for flooding A tropical depression east of the Philippines developed into a tropical storm named Gaemi at 2pm yesterday, and was moving toward eastern Taiwan, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said. Gaemi could begin to affect Taiwan proper on Tuesday, lasting until Friday, and could develop into a moderate typhoon on Wednesday or Thursday, it said. A sea warning for Gaemi could be issued as early as Tuesday morning, it added. Gaemi, the third tropical storm in the Pacific Ocean this typhoon season, is projected to begin moving northwest today, and be closest to Taiwan on Wednesday or Thursday, the agency said. Today, there would likely
DISRUPTIONS: The high-speed rail is to operate as normal, while several airlines either canceled flights or announced early departures or late arrivals Schools and offices in 15 cities and counties are to be closed today due to Typhoon Gaemi, local governments announced last night. The 15 are: Taipei, New Taipei City, Taoyuan, Tainan, Keelung, Hsinchu and Kaohsiung, as well as Yilan, Hualien, Hsinchu, Miaoli, Chiayi, Pingtung, Penghu and Lienchiang counties. People should brace for torrential rainfall brought by the storm, with its center forecast to make landfall on the east coast between tonight and tomorrow morning, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said. The agency issued a sea warning for the typhoon at 11:30pm on Monday, followed by a land warning at 11:30am yesterday. As of
CASUALTY: A 70-year-old woman was killed by a falling tree in Kaohsiung as the premier warned all government agencies to remain on high alert for the next 24 hours Schools and offices nationwide are to be closed for a second day today as Typhoon Gaemi crosses over the nation, bringing torrential rain and whipping winds. Gaemi was forecast to make landfall late last night. From Tuesday night, its outer band brought substantial rainfall and strong winds to the nation. As of 6:15pm last night, the typhoon’s center was 20km southeast of Hualien County, Central Weather Administration (CWA) data showed. It was moving at 19kph and had a radius of 250km. As of 3pm yesterday, one woman had died, while 58 people were injured, the Central Emergency Operation Center said. The 70-year-old