Ahead of US independence day celebrations, Vice President Chen Chien-jen (陳建仁) yesterday touted the solid and stable friendship between Taipei and Washington, which he said has been established due to both countries’ shared values of freedom, democracy and human rights.
Chen made the remarks at a ceremony held by the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) at the Grand Hyatt Taipei at lunchtime to celebrate the 240th anniversary of the independence of the US on Monday.
The event was also attended by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Wu Chih-chung (吳志中), Mainland Affairs Council Minister Katharine Chang (張小月), former vice president Vincent Siew (蕭萬長), People First Party Chairman James Soong (宋楚瑜) and Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Legislator-at-large Wang Jin-pyng (王金平).
Photo: CNA
“Ever since the US Declaration of Independence in 1776, its government and people have adhered to freedom, democracy and equality and strived for lofty goals. Such a spirit has not only been passed on from generation to generation in the US, but has also influenced democratic developments around the globe,” Chen said.
Like the US, Taiwan has pursued the values of freedom, democracy, human rights, peace and rule of law since its founding, he said in his speech.
Due to these shared values and beliefs, Taipei and Washington have established a firm and stable partnership, as they promote freedom, democracy and human rights worldwide, Chen said, adding that such shared views have also paved the way for close bilateral cooperation between the two nations in other areas.
President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文), who is on a nine-day state visit to diplomatic allies in Latin America, filmed a video to extend her congratulations.
“I would like to wish all our American friends a very happy Fourth of July and thank each of you for all that you do to advance the Taiwan-US relationship,” Tsai said in English in the video, before chanting in Mandarin: “Taiwan-US relationship is the best.”
In his speech, AIT Director Kin Moy said now is the best time in history to work on US-Taiwan relations as both sides have cooperated in more areas and in greater depth than at any other time.
“I have said it many, many times, the US and Taiwan have shared values, shared prosperity, and shared security... We shaped a very strong relationship with the administration of former president Ma [Ying-jeou (馬英九)] and the new administration of President Tsai following Taiwan’s third peaceful democratic transition,” Moy said.
The US maintained its position as Taiwan’s second-largest trading partner and its No. 1 source of foreign direct investment, while Taiwan is its ninth-largest trading partner, Moy said.
In addition, the US and Taiwan cooperate closely on security, as is evidenced by the US$1.8 billion arms sale deal Washington notified the US Congress of in December last year, Moy said.
Both sides also cooperated in other areas, such as education and the fight against global pandemics, Moy said.
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