Office of the President Republic of China(Taiwan)

On the morning of May 26, President Tsai Ing-wen met with a delegation led by US Senator Cory Gardner, Chairman of the Subcommittee on East Asia, the Pacific, and International Cybersecurity Policy of the US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. In addition to thanking Chairman Gardner for his staunch support and assistance for Taiwan over a long period in the US Congress, the president also voiced hope that the US will continue to abide by the security commitments to Taiwan set out in the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA) and the Six Assurances, so as to further enhance the strategic partnership between Taiwan and the US. She also expressed confidence that there are many opportunities for cooperation between the two countries.

In remarks, President Tsai said she was very happy to see Chairman Gardner again after having met with him during his visit to Taiwan in June 2016. The president took the opportunity to specially thank Chairman Gardner for his ongoing support and assistance for Taiwan over a long period in the US Congress.

President Tsai mentioned that she had spoken with Chairman Gardner by phone while transiting in San Francisco this past January, and the chairman told her that during Mr. Rex W. Tillerson's Secretary of State confirmation hearings he had asked about Taiwan-US relations and the nominee publicly reiterated that the security commitments to Taiwan set out in the TRA and the Six Assurances remain unchanged.

The president pointed out that Chairman Gardner has spoken in support of Taiwan with regard to many different issues. Last year, for example, he introduced a bill in support of observer status for Taiwan in the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL), and spearheaded passage of the bill by both houses of Congress. He also issued a public statement this early May supporting Taiwan's participation in the World Health Assembly. The president once again extended thanks for Chairman Gardner's vigorous support.

President Tsai pointed out that Taiwan-US relations have been developing in a positive direction since President Donald Trump took office. On the security front, the two sides have engaged in active cooperation. This past March, when the US Department of State held the Meeting of the Ministers of the Global Coalition on the Defeat of ISIS, ROC Representative to the United States Stanley Kao (高碩泰) led a delegation to the event, where he announced that Taiwan would donate funds and equipment to support minesweeping work in Iraq.

President Tsai thanked Chairman Gardner for pursuing passage of the proposed Asia Reassurance Initiative Act (ARIA), which will strengthen US security commitments to its allies and build partner capacity in the Asia-Pacific. She also expressed hope that Taiwan and the US can further cooperate and enhance their partnership.

Commenting on US arms sales to Taiwan, President Tsai pointed out that Taiwan hopes to engage in closer talks and discussions with the US. In the past, the defensive weaponry sold by the US helped to maintain cross-strait peace and stability, which was not only good for Taiwan, but was also in the best interests of the US and other like-minded countries.

President Tsai stated that Taiwan also hopes to enter into talks with the US on the signing of a bilateral fair trade agreement, and expressed confidence that, through cooperation, the two sides together can promote industrial development in both countries. At the same time, she also expressed hope that the US government will continue to abide by the security commitments to Taiwan set out in the TRA and the Six Assurances, and noted that these security commitments were affirmed at last year's Republican National Convention and were included in the Republican Party 2016 Platform.

President Tsai stated her belief that there are many opportunities for cooperation between Taiwan and the US, and said she hopes that Chairman Gardner will continue to support Taiwan. She also asked the chairman to convey her best regards to President Trump and Vice President Mike Pence.

In his remarks, Chairman Gardner thanked President Tsai for meeting with him again on the first anniversary of her inauguration as president. Describing Taiwan as a very important ally of the US, he expressed strong hope that the Taiwan-US partnership will continue to see stable growth. Chairman Gardner said he will reaffirm the TRA in the proposed ARIA, and stressed the importance of reciprocal visits involving high-level officials from Taiwan and the US. He also expressed hope that arms sales will become a routine agenda item in bilateral talks so as to enhance Taiwan-US cooperation.

The delegation was escorted to the Office of the President by American Institute in Taiwan Taipei Office Director Kin W. Moy.