US support for Taiwan remains a “priority” for Washington, with the bilateral partnership “unaffected” by the Israel-Hamas conflict, American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Chairwoman Laura Rosenberger told a news conference in Taipei yesterday.
“In Washington, the focus on our support for Taiwan is something that is a priority” for US President Joe Biden’s administration, Rosenberger said, adding that the US government continued to work to expand its partnership with Taipei.
The partnership and the US’ commitment to peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait are “enduring” and “unaffected” by events elsewhere in the world, she said, alluding to conflict between Palestinian militant groups led by Hamas and Israel that began on Oct. 7.
Photo: CNA
“The United States will remain committed to supporting Taiwan,” she said, mentioning in particular Washington’s commitments to provide defensive articles and services to Taipei in accordance with the Taiwan Relations Act.
Biden today is expected to announce a joint US$100 billion package for Taiwan, Ukraine and Israel.
The US government is concerned about Beijing’s “pressure and coercion campaign” aimed at Taiwan, and has raised such concern with Beijing directly in their conversations, Rosenberger said.
Maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait is not only central to the security and prosperity of Taiwan, but to that of the entire world as well, she added.
Speaking of her meetings with presidential nominees from Taiwan’s three largest political parties over the past few days, Rosenberger rejected the idea that Washington was conducting job “interviews” with the contenders.
Rosenberger arrived in Taiwan on Sunday for a five-day visit and she has since met with Vice President William Lai (賴清德), the Democratic Progressive Party’s presidential nominee, New Taipei City Mayor Hou You-yi (侯友宜), the Chinese Nationalist Party’s (KMT) nominee, and Taiwan People’s Party nominee and Chairman Ko Wen-je (柯文哲).
She said that the meetings were intended for the US to “have an understanding of the candidates’ visions for Taiwan” and for the nominees to “understand the United States’ priorities and interests.”
She declined to reveal what had been discussed at the meetings.
She reiterated that Washington would not take sides in Taiwan’s presidential election in January and that US policy toward Taiwan would be the same regardless of the outcome.
“We look forward to working with whomever Taiwan voters choose as their next leader,” Rosenberger said.
She added that while Washington was confident about Taiwan’s vibrant democracy, and free and fair election processes, it had conveyed to Beijing its opposition to outside interference or influence in the election.
Asked why she did not meet with Hon Hai Precision Industry Co (鴻海精密) founder Terry Gou (郭台銘), an independent presidential contender, Rosenberger said that “the AIT directly engages with candidates who are officially eligible, as determined by the Central Election Commission.”
Rosenberger’s visit, accompanied by Michael Pignatello, a senior consultant with the US Department of State’s Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, marked her third trip to Taiwan since assuming the post in March.
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