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.”
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