President Tsai meets former US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Wendy Sherman
President Tsai Ing-wen met on the morning of December 15 with former US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Wendy Sherman. President Tsai warmly welcomed Ambassador Sherman on her first visit to Taiwan, and expressed hope for cooperation with the incoming US administration to achieve continued enhancement of Taiwan-US relations.
In remarks, the president noted that Ambassador Sherman was visiting Taiwan for the first time, and was to deliver the keynote address at the ROC (Taiwan)-U.S.-Japan and Asia-Pacific Regional Partners Security Dialogue. Ambassador Sherman has a formidable resume that includes handling, as an under secretary of state, many important issues such as North Korea and Iran-related affairs. "As a negotiator myself, I understand that simple words and phrases can in fact shape the fates of nations and peace in our world," and for that the ambassador is deserving of the greatest respect, said the president.
President Tsai stated that the US is the leader of the democratic world and Taiwan's most steadfast partner. She thanked the Obama administration for the steady support and cooperation it has lent to Taiwan for many years on a full range of issues, and said that the result has been close and stable Taiwan-US relations. Noting that the US presidential election was held just this past November, the president voiced hope that Taiwan and the US can build on an already strong foundation to further cooperate and continue enhancing the bilateral friendship.
President Tsai also pointed out that Taiwan and the US have a shared commitment to freedom, democracy, human rights, and social justice, and have built up close relations and deep friendship in the areas of political, security, economic, and cultural ties. The president thanked the US for abiding over a period of many years by the Taiwan Relations Act and the Six Assurances, and for taking concrete action to help ensure Taiwan's security and democracy. Taiwan, for its part, will continue to be a most reliable partner to the US on regional security matters so that the two sides can jointly maintain Asia-Pacific regional peace and security.
President Tsai stated that Taiwan will strive to bolster the existing framework for dialogue, initiate additional concrete cooperation projects, continue enhancing the bilateral partnership, and expand bilateral exchanges and cooperation across the board. She expressed hope that Taiwan can work together with Ambassador Sherman and other friends to write a great new chapter in the bilateral partnership.
Ambassador Sherman was accompanied to the Presidential Office by Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Leo Chen-jan Lee (李澄然) to meet President Tsai. Also attending the meeting was National Security Council Secretary-General Joseph Wu (吳釗燮).