President Tsai meets delegation led by US House Committee on Foreign Affairs Chairman Ed Royce
President Tsai Ing-wen met on the morning of June 1 with a delegation led by United States House Committee on Foreign Affairs Chairman Ed Royce. The president warmly welcomed the visitors to Taiwan on behalf of the government and people of Taiwan, and expressed hope that the US will help our country take part in second-round negotiations on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).
In her remarks, the president noted that each US congressman in the delegation is a member of the Congressional Taiwan Caucus and a staunch friend of Taiwan who has strongly supported our country and cares deeply about its development.
The president pointed out that since taking over as chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Chairman Royce has led a delegation to Taiwan each year, thus taking concrete action to support the democratic values to which our country and the US have a shared commitment. Turning her attention to the other two delegation members, President Tsai noted that Chairman of the House Republican Study Committee Bill Flores frequently co-sponsors or votes in favor of bills in Congress that are supportive of Taiwan. She further noted that Congressman Ted Lieu also co-sponsored and voted for a House resolution supporting observer status for Taiwan in the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL). The president expressed hope that her visitors will keep supporting bills in the House that pertain to Taiwan.
Commenting on Taiwan-US relations, the president noted that this past May 16 the US House passed House Concurrent Resolution 88 in support of Taiwan. Prior to the vote Chairman Royce delivered remarks in Congress to express strong support for the Taiwan Relations Act and the Six Assurances as cornerstones of US-Taiwan relations. In addition, expanded participation for Taiwan in international organizations is a key concern and the shared wish of the Taiwanese people. Noting that Chairman Royce has publicly supported Taiwan's admission to the World Health Organization, the International Civil Aviation Organization, and the INTERPOL, the president hoped that her visitors will continue to speak up for Taiwan in the international community and support Taiwan's participation in international organizations.
The president further remarked that Taiwan-US relations have always been very close, and during the course of future interactions, Taiwan will continuously enhance cooperation with the US with respect to such issues as national defense and security, trade and investment, and international participation. In fact, when Chairman Royce visited Taiwan in March of 2015, said the president, she exchanged views with him regarding cooperation between the defense industries of Taiwan and the US. Hopefully, she added, the two countries' defense industries can launch still more cooperative projects.
Turning to the subject of Taiwan-US economic and trade relations, the president expressed hope that the two countries can conduct talks on bilateral economic and trade relations as soon as possible under the Taiwan-US Trade and Investment Framework Agreement. Doing so will bring about smoother Taiwan-US trade ties and closer economic relations, and Taiwan will be able at the same time to make preparations to take part in second-round TPP negotiations, she said.