President Ma Ying-jeou met on the afternoon of November 1 with a delegation from the US Congressional Taiwan Caucus. In addition to thanking the visitors for their longstanding support for Taiwan, the president also called for continued strengthening of bilateral relations.
In remarks, President Ma stated that he has actively sought to improve relations between Taiwan and the United States since taking office over five years ago. These efforts have restored mutual trust at the highest levels between the two sides, and bilateral relations are now at their best state since formal diplomatic relations were severed in 1979, he said. The president noted that former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and current Secretary of State John F. Kerry have both stated publicly that Taiwan is an important partner of the United States. In addition, he said, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Kin Moy recently commented in public that "a critical part of our strategy is building the comprehensive, durable, mutually beneficial relationship between the United States and Taiwan." All of these statements demonstrate close and friendly relations between the two countries, President Ma remarked.
In discussing substantive advancements in bilateral relations, the president pointed out that in November of last year Taiwan was formally included in the US Visa Waiver Program, becoming the 37th country in the program and the only one that does not maintain formal diplomatic relations with the United States. In February of this year, he said, the two sides signed a revised version of the Agreement on Privileges, Exemptions and Immunities, which included major changes to the original 1980 agreement to provide personnel stationed by both countries in the other with greater protections. Meanwhile, in March of this year Taiwan and the United States resumed negotiations under the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) after a six-year hiatus, and the two sides are moving toward the signing of a bilateral investment agreement. President Ma also pointed out that this past October former Vice President Vincent C. Siew (蕭萬長) attended the 21st APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting as the leaders' representative from Taiwan and held bilateral discussions with US Secretary of State Kerry. The two exchanged opinions on Taiwan's desire to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership. The president further remarked that Taiwan has been able to participate in the World Health Assembly (WHA), the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), and other international activities, and the strong support Taiwan has received from the United States in this regard is something that the government and people of the ROC will always remember.
President Ma explained to the visitors that over the past year Taiwan has resolved fishing disputes with Japan and the Philippines, both of which are allies of the United States, so Taiwan's ability to peacefully resolve these disputes has benefitted all parties. President Ma noted that Congressional Taiwan Caucus Co-Chair John Carter issued a statement in Congress expressing support for Taiwan at the time of the fishing dispute in May. Congressman Carter urged the Philippines to carry out a completely transparent and fair investigation into the incident in a speedy manner, to compensate the victim's family, and to embark on fisheries negotiations with Taiwan. The president expressed gratitude for these remarks, and commented that the Philippines has already completed its investigation and provided compensation. While negotiations between Taiwan and the Philippines on a fisheries agreement are still ongoing, concrete progress has been made, he said, which can significantly reduce the chances that such incidents will recur in the future.
President Ma also mentioned that over the past five years the ROC government has strengthened its relations with mainland China. The two sides of the Taiwan Strait have signed 19 agreements, and US support has provided an important force for Taiwan in continuing to promote cross-strait reconciliation, he said. The president emphasized that improved cross-strait relations not only reduce tensions in the Taiwan Strait, but also advance regional peace. Consequently, the United States, Japan, and other nations have come out in strong support for the efforts made by Taiwan, he said. In particular, the president pointed out, in 2008 former US President George W. Bush and then mainland Chinese leader Hu Jintao (胡錦濤) spoke over the phone and Mr. Hu confirmed that mainland China was willing to resume negotiations with Taiwan on the foundation of the "1992 Consensus," whereby each side acknowledges the existence of "one China" but maintains its own interpretation of what that means. President Ma also said that arms sales approved by former President Bush and current President Barack Obama have bolstered Taiwan's security and enhanced its defensive capabilities. This, President Ma noted, has given Taiwan greater confidence to pursue improved relations with mainland China.
The president said that Co-Chair Carter has been closely monitoring enforcement of the Taiwan Relations Act, and has repeatedly urged the US government to sell Taiwan F-16C/D fighter jets. Although Taiwan has not yet been able to procure them, its existing F-16A/B fighter jets have been upgraded to the degree that their performance comes near that of the more advanced jets, he said. President Ma reiterated his deepest gratitude to Co-Chair Carter for his contributions, and expressed hope that the congressman will continue promoting bilateral cooperation and interaction.
Among those in the delegation were Congressional Taiwan Caucus Co-Chair Carter and Legislative Director of Co-Chair Carter's office Steve Gilleland. The delegation was accompanied to the Presidential Office by American Institute in Taiwan Taipei Office Deputy Director Brent Christensen to meet President Ma. Also attending the meeting were National Security Council Deputy Secretary-General Jacob Chang (張大同) and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ting Joseph Shih (石定).