Following a mass shooting on December 14 at an elementary school in the state of Connecticut, the ROC Ministry of Foreign Affairs immediately contacted the American Institute in Taiwan to convey the government's concern.
President Ma Ying-jeou also sent a letter to US President Barack Obama on December 16 to express shock and sadness. On behalf of the government and people of the Republic of China, President Ma extended sympathies and condolences to the families of the victims. Presidential Office Spokesman Fan Chiang Tai-chi (范姜泰基) stated that in the letter President Ma also reassured President Obama that the people of Taiwan stand beside the American people at this sad and challenging moment, and supported President Obama's call for taking swift and meaningful action to prevent the recurrence of such a tragedy.