Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴), Taiwan’s representative-designate to the US, has vowed to develop a trust-based partnership with the US, especially in the area of technology security.
Hsiao was last month appointed as Taiwan’s de facto ambassador to the US and is to become the first woman to hold the position when she assumes the role by the end of this month.
Hsiao said she intends to push for wide-ranging cooperation with the US in areas such as national security, agriculture, trade, industrial restructuring and technology security, with technology likely a priority.
Competition between the US and China has shifted from geopolitics to technology, and many believe Beijing’s rapid technological advances are in part due to its theft of trade secrets from the US, she said.
China’s spying activities have alarmed the tech industry, but have also opened doors for Taiwan to strengthen cooperation with the US on technology, she said.
As a manufacturing hub for information and communication technology products, Taiwan needs to ensure that it is a trustworthy partner, she said.
Another important challenge would be promoting Taiwan’s soft power through sports, food and other cultural activities, Hsiao said.
One of her plans to achieve that goal is to hold exhibitions showcasing Taiwanese culture and art at Taiwan’s Twin Oaks, a 7.3-hectare estate in Washington that the government uses for official functions, she said.
Although not a career foreign service officer, Hsiao said she felt she has the personality traits for the job, especially being creative and impartial.
“Since I am not from the foreign service system, I can treat everyone from different government branches equally. My efforts to advance Taiwan-US relations will not be one that is limited to diplomatic aspects,” she said.
Another asset is that she understands President Tsai Ing-wen’s (蔡英文) views and the security team’s outlook on many issues, Hsiao said.
Regarding Taiwan-US relations, Hsiao said that a free and open Pacific, the core value of the US’ Indo-Pacific strategy, is aligned with Taiwan’s national interests, especially as China expands its influence in the region.
Taiwan would use its limited resources to help maintain peace and stability in the region, and many like-minded countries would like to work with Taiwan not only on security issues, but in other fields, such as Chinese-language learning, she said.
“There are plenty of opportunities for Taiwan to engage in more interactions with other countries,” she said.
Several challenges await Hsiao in her new position, including China’s “wolf warrior” diplomacy.
Hsiao, a cat lover, jokingly said that she would use “war cat” diplomacy, as cats are smart, agile and flexible, allowing them to find a way out in difficult situations.
Another challenge is the COVID-19 pandemic, which prevents face-to-face interactions, she said.
More “creative ways” are needed to cope with the new normal, Hsiao said.
Hsiao, born to an American mother, has served as the Democratic Progressive Party’s chief of international affairs, a lawmaker, a consultant to the Mainland Affairs Council and a National Security Council adviser.
The first two F-16V Bock 70 jets purchased from the US are expected to arrive in Taiwan around Double Ten National Day, which is on Oct. 10, a military source said yesterday. Of the 66 F-16V Block 70 jets purchased from the US, the first completed production in March, the source said, adding that since then three jets have been produced per month. Although there were reports of engine defects, the issue has been resolved, they said. After the jets arrive in Taiwan, they must first pass testing by the air force before they would officially become Taiwan’s property, they said. The air force
GLOBAL: Although Matsu has limited capacity for large numbers of domestic tourists, it would be a great high-end destination for international travelers, an official said Lienchiang County’s (Matsu) unique landscape and Cold War history give it great potential to be marketed as a destination for international travelers, Tourism Administration Director General Chen Yu-hsiu (陳玉秀) said at the weekend. Tourism officials traveled to the outlying island for the Matsu Biennial, an art festival that started on Friday to celebrate Matsu’s culture, history and landscape. Travelers to Matsu, which lies about 190km northwest of Taipei, must fly or take the state-run New Taima passenger ship. However, flights are often canceled during fog season from April to June. Chen spoke about her vision to promote Matsu as a tourist attraction in
The Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy’s (PLAN) third aircraft carrier, the Fujian, would pose a steep challenge to Taiwan’s ability to defend itself against a full-scale invasion, a defense expert said yesterday. Institute of National Defense and Security Research analyst Chieh Chung (揭仲) made the comment hours after the PLAN confirmed the carrier recently passed through the Taiwan Strait to conduct “scientific research tests and training missions” in the South China Sea. China has two carriers in operation — the Liaoning and the Shandong — with the Fujian undergoing sea trials. Although the PLAN needs time to train the Fujian’s air wing and
PAWSITIVE IMPACT: A shop owner said that while he adopted cats to take care of rodents, they have also attracted younger visitors who also buy his dried goods In Taipei’s Dadaocheng (大稻埕), cats lounging in shops along Dihua Street do more than nap amid the scent of dried seafood. Many have become beloved fixtures who double as photography models, attracting visitors and helping boost sales in one of the capital’s most historic quarters. A recent photo contest featuring more than a dozen shop cats drew more than 2,200 submissions, turning everyday cat-spotting into a friendly competition that attracted amateur and professional photographers. “It’s rare to see cats standing, so when it suddenly did, it felt like a lucky cat,” said Sabrina Hsu (徐淳蔚), who won the NT$10,000 top prize in
RSS