Office of the President Republic of China(Taiwan)

Meeting on the morning of June 7 with a group of scholars from the US-based National Bureau of Asian Research (NBR), President Tsai Ing-wen expressed hope that Taiwan and the United States will be able to build on an already firm foundation to further their partnership.

In remarks, President Tsai first extended a warm welcome and thanked Admiral Samuel Locklear for supporting enhancement of Taiwan-US military exchanges during his tenure as commander of the United States Pacific Command. She also thanked the NBR for its long-standing staunch support for Taiwan.

President Tsai pointed out that the Taiwan Relations Act, which was enacted 38 years ago, has established a legal framework for Taiwan-US relations and ensures further development of bilateral ties across the board. Building on this firm foundation, she said, Taiwan hopes that the two countries can work together to further develop the bilateral partnership. This would include the establishment of more strategic regional security cooperation, broader economic and trade ties, and stronger mutual trust.

Regarding security cooperation, President Tsai stated that maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the larger region is the shared goal of Taiwan and the US. Besides continuing to purchase appropriate defensive weaponry from the US, Taiwan is also going to step up efforts to develop its national defense industry and hopes that the Trump administration will lend assistance in line with the Taiwan Relations Act and the Six Assurances.

The president further stated that Taiwan intends to play a more active role in regional and global security matters. As a reliable partner of the US, Taiwan will continue to working with the US to jointly maintain regional and global security.

Commenting on economic and trade ties, President Tsai said she hopes to further enhance Taiwan-US economic and trade ties and create a win-win situation for both sides.

The president also mentioned that although Taiwan was not invited this year to attend the World Health Assembly, the staunch and unwavering support of the US and other like-minded countries is the strongest possible affirmation of Taiwan's contributions to international healthcare. This highlights the fact that Taiwan is an indispensable partner to the international community.

President Tsai stressed that Taiwan hopes to continue making contributions to the international community, and looks forward to working with the US in the existing bilateral and multilateral frameworks to enhance cooperation in such areas as anti-terrorism, public health, the digital economy, humanitarian aid, and women's empowerment, so that Taiwan, the US, the region, and the entire world can benefit and achieve further development.