Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC, 台積電) founder Morris Chang (張忠謀) has arrived in San Francisco, where he is to represent President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) at the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week.
Chang, 92, and his wife landed at 3pm on Tuesday and were greeted by Representative to the US Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴).
Chang did not answer questions about whether he would meet with US President Joe Biden. The couple headed straight to their hotel, where they were greeted by a group of about 50 overseas Taiwanese and later attended a welcome banquet hosted by Hsiao.
Photo: CNA
Hsiao, who is expected to be Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) presidential candidate Vice President William Lai’s (賴清德) running mate in January’s presidential election, did not comment on the issue when she arrived at the hotel, where Taiwanese media are staying during the summit.
Before leaving Taiwan, Chang pledged to enhance the nation’s visibility at the APEC summit, which runs until tomorrow and is themed “Creating a Resilient and Sustainable Future for All.”
Speaking at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, Chang said he would engage with other APEC leaders and convey the nation’s willingness and ability to contribute to regional peace and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region, and to develop more resilient supply chains.
He said he would also convey Taiwan’s readiness to work with partners on transitioning to green energy and bridging the regional digital divide.
Chang has served as the president’s envoy to APEC seven times. He first attended the annual APEC summit on behalf of then-president Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) in 2006, and has attended the meeting on Tsai’s behalf six times.
Taiwan’s presidents have been unable to attend the annual APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting due to China’s objections, even though Taiwan is a full APEC member under the name “Chinese Taipei.”
Meanwhile, 22 US senators on Tuesday issued a joint statement urging Biden not to make “more concessions” to China, including on Taiwan, when meeting Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) yesterday.
US Senator Jim Risch, a ranking member of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, led fellow Republicans in releasing the statement.
“It is paramount that Biden and his administration don’t give an inch on US policy on Taiwan,” the statement said, adding that it would be “one more grave error” regarding competition between the two superpowers.
“Few issues are more urgent than ensuring Taiwan has the capabilities and training it needs to deter Chinese aggression,” the statement said. “Vital US national and economic security interests, and the future of the entire Indo-Pacific region, are both at stake here.”
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