President Tsai meets American Institute in Taiwan Chairman James Moriarty
On the afternoon of December 11, President Tsai Ing-wen met with Chairman James Moriarty of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT). Commenting on cooperative exchanges and achievements of Taiwan-US relations over the past year, the president expressed hope that both sides can continue to play important roles in regional stability. Chairman Moriarty gave Taiwan high marks for showing the will and ability to participate in international society, and said he was happy to see continued Taiwan-US cooperation and development in a wide variety of fields.
President Tsai said that since President Donald Trump took office, Taiwan-US relations have remained stable and grown stronger at all levels, including even closer bilateral trade. In terms of international cooperation, the two countries continuously expand collaboration across the board.
President Tsai specially thanked Chairman Moriarty and the US government for their warm hospitality when she recently transited through Hawaii and Guam. She noted that the US government made each of her four transit stops in the US over the past year convenient, secure, comfortable, and dignified. This June, the US announced major arms sales to Taiwan, demonstrating its commitment to the Taiwan Relations Act. Taiwan and the US have also collaborated to make many contributions to regional development through the Global Cooperation and Training Framework (GCTF). In addition, the US arranged for Taiwan representative Mr. James Soong to meet with President Trump and other important American political figures during the APEC Economic Leaders' Week. These developments all testify to the stable development of Taiwan-US relations.
President Tsai went on to point out that over the past year, there have also been many interactions and exchanges between Taiwan and the US. Examples include Taiwan sending its largest delegation in history to attend the SelectUSA Investment Summit in June, and an agricultural delegation to the US in September. Many prominent American political figures have also visited Taiwan, including those attending the Yushan Forum in October.
The president also mentioned Taiwan-US cooperation to support humanitarian aid and mine-clearing in the Middle East and implement UN Security Council sanctions against North Korea. In addition, Taiwan recently joined the US Global Entry program, which allows Taiwanese travelers to get through US customs faster. Noting that Taiwan is the third country in the Asia-Pacific region to join that program, she said Taiwan is also happy that the US has become the first country to join Taiwan's E-gate automated immigration clearance system.
President Tsai then said these achievements show that the bilateral relationship has never been better. Working together with a pragmatic attitude, the two sides continue to upgrade relations. Based on a long-standing foundation, both countries are upholding shared values and providing mutual assistance for mutual benefits every step of the way, advancing bilateral relations. The president added: "Just as the US has always supported Taiwan, we will also continue to support the US." Through bilateral cooperation, we can spur US economic development and bring greater peace, stability, and prosperity to the Asia-Pacific region, she said.
President Tsai also said that Taiwan will continue to play an important role in maintaining regional stability. We will cooperate with the US to stabilize the situation in the Korean Peninsula, and enhance cooperation with US allies in this region. In addition, Taiwan will accelerate military reforms to build more robust self-defense capabilities, and continue to strengthen bilateral cooperation with the US on national defense issues.
The president expressed hope that Taiwan can expand international participation by enhancing the Taiwan-US GCTF and cooperating with the US and other like-minded countries. At the same time, Taiwan will promote even closer economic and trade relations with the US, including stronger cooperation in implementing the New Southbound Policy.
President Tsai emphasized that as a free and democratic nation in the Indo-Pacific region, Taiwan is naturally a stakeholder in the "free and open Indo-Pacific" policy. She expressed confidence that Taiwan can make a greater contribution to the region, saying: "We not only want to defend the collective achievements of freedom and openness. Even more, we want to protect a rules-based international order."
Finally, President Tsai thanked Chairman Moriarty, AIT Taipei Office Director Kin Moy, and the staff at AIT for working with Taiwan over the past year to keep bilateral relations strong. She then said that as long as we continue to work hard, we will achieve even more next year.
After the president's comments, Chairman Moriarty delivered remarks. Noting that this was his third visit to Taiwan as AIT Chairman, he said he was honored to meet President Tsai again, and grateful to the president and all the US partners in Taiwan for their assistance and hospitality.
Chairman Moriarty said that the strength of Taiwan-US ties is truly remarkable, as is their continued growth across the full spectrum. He further stated that both sides can feel proud of the comprehensive, durable, and meaningfully beneficial partnership, which is built on the foundation of shared interests and values.
Chairman Moriarty said that as an Indo-Pacific power, the US has a vital interest in the security of its partners. He then stressed that the US considers the security of Taiwan to be essential to the security of the border region and that their commitment to Taiwan, as exemplified in the Taiwan Relations Act, remains unswerving. Taiwan's participation in the international community is also important to the US, he said, because Taiwan has shown both the will and the ability to play a positive role in addressing global problems. Recognizing that Taiwan has much to offer, he added, the US looks forward to every opportunity to cooperate with Taiwan on the global stage.