President Ma Ying-jeou met on the afternoon of November 14 with a delegation from the US State of Arizona led by Governor Jan Brewer. The president, on behalf of the government and people of the ROC, welcomed the visitors and explained some of the substantive achievements in Taiwan's relations with the United States and mainland China.
In remarks, President Ma noted that Governor Brewer was visiting Taiwan for the third time, having previously come as Secretary of State of Arizona and a member of the Arizona legislature. The president said he is sure this visit will enhance Governor Brewer's understanding of Taiwan.
President Ma noted that Arizona, the sixth largest state in the United States, is home to the world-renowned Grand Canyon National Park, and also is becoming one of the world's fastest growing centers for the aeronautics industry. In the area of trade and economic ties, Taiwan is Arizona's 13th largest export market, he pointed out, noting that last year Taiwan's imports from Arizona came to US$320 million. As for ties between local governments, the president remarked, Arizona and Taiwan Province maintain a sister state relationship. Meanwhile, the state capital of Phoenix has a sister city relationship with Taipei City, and Tucson is a sister city of Taichung City. The two sides maintain close and friendly relations, he said.
The president mentioned that he met with Arizona State University President Michael M. Crow in March of last year. He praised Mr. Crow as an extremely innovative scholar and an outstanding manager. The university has become one of the best-known centers of learning in the United States under his leadership, the president said, adding that Arizona State University and universities in Taiwan have established cooperative relationships. President Ma also mentioned that a number of baseball players from Taiwan are currently playing in Major League Baseball in the United States, adding that he hopes players from Taiwan will play for the Arizona Diamondbacks some day, which would further enhance bilateral friendship.
As for progress in relations between Taiwan and the United States, President Ma stated, he has actively pursued improved relations with the United States since taking office five years ago. The "low key, no surprises" approach he has taken in ties with the United States, he said, has restored mutual trust at the highest levels and led to a number of substantive achievements. The president commented that bilateral relations are presently at their most stable and closest since the two sides severed formal diplomatic relations in 1979. President Ma also pointed to Taiwan's entry into the US Visa Waiver Program last year as an example, explaining that this enables roughly 460,000 visitors to the United States from Taiwan each year to avoid the inconveniences of paying visa fees and lining up for visa interviews. Taiwan's admission to the program is also boosting bilateral tourism and cultural ties, he said.
President Ma further explained that the United States looks upon Taiwan as an important security and economic partner. The two sides maintain broad ties in the areas of military affairs and technology, and the United States has supported Taiwan's participation in quite a few international organizations and activities, including the World Health Organization, the Agreement on Government Procurement, and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), he said. The president pointed out that this year marks the first time since the ROC lost its seat at the United Nations 42 years ago that it attended the ICAO annual assembly, which was extremely significant.
In discussing the cross-strait relationship, President Ma mentioned that the signing of 19 cross-strait agreements has effectively increased peace and prosperity for both sides. The improvement in cross-strait relations, he said, has also encouraged other countries in the region to strengthen economic and trade cooperation with Taiwan. For instance, he pointed out, two years ago Taiwan and Japan signed the Taiwan-Japan Bilateral Investment Arrangement, while in July of this year Taiwan and New Zealand signed the Agreement between New Zealand and the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu on Economic Cooperation (ANZTEC). In addition, earlier this month, Taiwan and Singapore signed the Agreement between Singapore and the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu on Economic Partnership (ASTEP), he said. Achievements like these had not been seen in previous decades, the president stated, adding that this progress is the result of improved relations between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait and assistance provided by the United States.
Lastly, President Ma mentioned that Arizona plays an important role in cooperation between the United States and Taiwan in the area of national defense. He noted that Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation, a state-run company under the Ministry of Economic Affairs, joined forces with Honeywell International over 30 years ago to form International Turbine Engine Company (ITEC), which operates out of Phoenix. The president said that ITEC has been in charge of the manufacture and upgrading of Taiwan's Ching-kuo Indigenous Defensive Fighters. In addition, he noted, ever since Taiwan purchased F-16A/B series fighter jets from the United States over two decades ago, pilots from Taiwan have received flight training at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona, which has effectively bolstered the piloting technique of the Taiwanese pilots.
In addition to Governor Brewer, the delegation included Governor Brewer's son Michael W. Brewer, Office of the Governor's Public Affairs Director Kim Sabow, Arizona Commerce Authority President and CEO Sandra Watson, Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry President and CEO Glenn Hamer, and Arizona Office of Tourism Director Sharon L. Henry.