President Ma Ying-jeou met on the morning of October 9 with a delegation from the US Republican National Committee (RNC) that was led by RNC Co-Chairman Sharon Day. The president briefed his guests on concrete progress over the past five years in Taiwan's relations with the United States and mainland China, and called for continued strengthening of cooperation and ties so as to further enhance bilateral relations.
In remarks, the president first commented that since taking office in 2008 he has pursued a policy of "low key, no surprises" in ties with the United States, which has helped to re-establish mutual trust at the highest levels and put ROC-US relations on their best footing since the severing of formal diplomatic relations in 1979. He said that both sides continue to maintain a close relationship in accordance with the Taiwan Relations Act. For instance, he noted, the United States has agreed to sell defensive weapons to Taiwan, and in November of last year the United States formally included Taiwan in its Visa Waiver Program. What's more, over the past two years a number of high-ranking government officials and heavyweight congressional delegations have visited Taiwan, the president said, commenting that this proves Taiwan is an important security and economic partner of the US.
President Ma further stated that the ROC and the United States have a relationship that spans over 100 years. Both sides share the universal values of freedom, democracy, human rights, and rule of law, he said. The president pointed out that each year ROC nationals make over 400,000 tourist visits to the United States, and over 30,000 Taiwanese students are presently studying there. He added that the two sides maintain close cooperation in security, economic and trade ties, and tourism, and work together to prevent human trafficking, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and terrorism. The president said that relations between the two sides are becoming even closer all the time.
President Ma emphasized that although he is personally unable to make official visit to the United States at present, he did spend time on American soil during transit stops in the United States on his trips to ROC diplomatic allies in Central and South America, and spoke over the phone with congressmen, senators, and administration officials during those layovers. He stated that these direct communications have helped to enhance Taiwan-US relations.
In discussing cross-strait relations, the president told the visitors that over the past five years, Taiwan and mainland China have experienced a significant improvement in ties, with both sides now engaged in frequent interaction. This has transformed the Taiwan Strait from a flashpoint into an avenue of peace and prosperity, he said. President Ma also commented that this year marks the 60th anniversary of the end of the Korean War, and while the Korean Peninsula is still shrouded in the threat of war, the situation is totally different in the Taiwan Strait. The offshore island of Kinmen came under fire from mainland China in the 823 (August 23) Artillery War in 1958, but over the past five years, Taiwan and mainland China have signed a total of 19 agreements, achieving breakthroughs after 60 years of conflict and making peace the norm in the Taiwan Strait, he said.
The president further explained that the improved relationship between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait has reduced the potential for conflict while generating opportunities for cooperation. This change, he said, is in line with the interests of the United States, so US presidents both Republican and Democrat have praised and encouraged the efforts of the ROC government to improve cross-strait relations, he remarked.
The president also mentioned that in 1984 when he worked in the Kuomintang and was responsible for international affairs, he had the opportunity to attend the Republican National Convention when Ronald Reagan was seeking a second term as president. It was an unforgettable experience, said President Ma.
In addition to RNC Co-Chairman Day, the delegation included RNC National Committeeman from the District of Columbia Bob Kabel, National Committeewoman from Montana Betti C. Hill, National Committeewoman from Washington Fredi Simpson, State Chairman from Arkansas Doyle Webb, State Chairman from Texas Steve Munisteri, State Representative from Arkansas Jonathan Barnett, and State Chairman from Wisconsin Brad Courtney. The group was accompanied to the Presidential Office by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ting Joseph Shih (石定) to meet President Ma. Also attending the meeting were Secretary-General to the President Timothy Chin-Tien Yang (楊進添) and National Security Council Secretary-General Jason C. Yuan (袁健生).