President Tsai meets Taiwan-US relations forum participants
On the morning of August 18, President Tsai Ing-wen met with a group of scholars and experts attending the "Developing a New Framework for Taiwan-US Relations under Changing Dynamics in the Asia-Pacific" forum later that day. The president expressed hope that Taiwan can enhance its role in the Asia-Pacific region, and respond appropriately to long-term regional strategic needs and opportunities.
In remarks, the president said she was very happy to see so many old friends visiting Taiwan again, and offered a special welcome to visitors from the US-based Global Taiwan Institute (GTI), whose efforts in Washington, DC have given more people a chance to understand Taiwan.
President Tsai also thanked former US Representative Matt Salmon and former American Institute in Taiwan director Stephen Young for their long-time support for Taiwan, and the values shared by Taiwan and the US.
The president said she was very happy to see young scholars visiting Taiwan, bringing with them a new generation perspective. She also expressed confidence that the passing of the torch between generations will ensure stable development of Taiwan-US relations.
President Tsai pointed out that the "Developing a New Framework for Taiwan-US Relations under Changing Dynamics in the Asia-Pacific" forum marks the first time that Taiwan Thinktank and GTI have jointly organized an event. She added that the forum theme is important, as we do indeed need new modes of thinking to address changing circumstances in the Asia-Pacific region.
The president said that Taiwan has recently been working to enhance cooperation with the Trump administration in the areas of trade, security, and efforts to expand Taiwan's room for international participation, focusing on important issues such as spurring investment, job creation, and other issues that support win-win development for Taiwan and the US.
And finally, the president indicated that Taiwan is actively pursuing its New Southbound Policy, and continuing to seek out new ways to enhance Taiwan's role in the Asia-Pacific region, and hopes to be able to respond appropriately to long-term regional strategic needs and opportunities. Measures to achieve these objectives, she said, include promoting human resources training and development, increasing investment and trade, developing new business opportunities, and increasing tourism.