Former vice minister of foreign affairs and top envoy to the EU Alexander Yui (俞大㵢) has been appointed representative to the US, replacing Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴), who resigned to join Vice President William Lai (賴清德) as his running mate on the Democratic Progressive Party’s presidential ticket.
Hsiao earlier this week returned to Washington to bid farewell to her colleagues and hand over her duties before returning to campaign for January’s elections.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Roy Lee (李淳) has been appointed as representative to the EU and Belgium, to succeed Yui, Presidential Office spokeswoman Olivia Lin (林聿禪) said.
Photo: Chen Yun, Taipei Times
“The US is Taiwan’s most important partner in the international community. Both sides have maintained a good friendship and extensive ties in the past few years, while closely collaborating in many sectors,” Lin said.
President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) appointed Yui based on his diplomatic experience serving in numerous countries over his career, allowing him to immediately step into his new role to further boost Taiwan-US relations, Lin said.
Yui has previously served in Paraguay, Geneva, El Salvador and New York, was head of the foreign ministry’s Department of Latin America and Caribbean Affairs, and was vice foreign minister for about two years.
Photo: George Tsorng, Taipei Times
He has promoted trilateral links and exchanges among Taiwan, the US and Latin America, helping to expand the scope of Taiwan’s foreign affairs initiatives and establish wide-ranging networks among the English-speaking and Spanish-speaking diplomatic circles of the Americas, Lin said.
Yui has a bachelor’s degree in political science and modern languages, and a master’s degree in Spanish literature from Texas A&M University.
After serving as Taiwan’s de facto ambassador to the US for three years, Hsiao tendered her resignation last week, which was approved by Tsai and takes effect today.
Hsiao on Tuesday wrote on X, formerly Twitter, that it had been “an honor” to represent Taiwan in the US.
“As I embark on another challenging path, I am truly grateful to all who have worked with me to strengthen the Taiwan US partnership over the last three years,” she wrote.
“Taiwanese diplomats can never take support for granted. We know we must earn it and work for it,” she said, adding that she would “miss the cherry blossoms and colorful foliage of DC,” as well as “the warmth of bipartisan friends who have committed to stand with Taiwan.”
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