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On the afternoon of June 13, President Tsai Ing-wen met with Ms. Marie Royce, US Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs. The president said that Assistant Secretary Royce's visit to Taiwan is significant because it enhances bilateral cooperation in education and culture, and also demonstrates US support for Taiwan and the peaceful, stable status quo. The president also expressed hope that under the framework and commitments of the Taiwan Relations Act and the Six Assurances, Taiwan and the United States will continue to strengthen all-round cooperation.
President Tsai began her remarks by saying she was delighted to once again welcome Assistant Secretary Royce to the Presidential Office. The president added that Assistant Secretary Royce is her old friend, and that she and her husband, Congressman Ed Royce, are two of Taiwan's most important friends. The president believes that having a good friend that supports Taiwan serving as Assistant Secretary at the State Department is a significant boon to Taiwan-US relations.
President Tsai pointed out that this is Assistant Secretary Royce's first visit to Taiwan in her new position, and a special visit on behalf of the US government to witness the dedication ceremony for the new American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) office building in Neihu, Taipei. The president said that the opening of the new AIT office building represents a staunch US commitment to Taiwan and highlights the unshakeable and enduring nature of the bilateral friendship. On behalf of the government and people of Taiwan, she then welcomed Assistant Secretary Royce and congratulated AIT once again on the inauguration of its new home.
Now in charge of education and cultural affairs at the State Department, the president said, Assistant Secretary Royce is also a successful entrepreneur and educator, and has engaged in international cultural and educational exchanges for many years. We very much look forward to working closely with Assistant Secretary Royce, the president said, to deepen cultural and educational cooperation between Taiwan and the United States.
Student exchanges between the two countries are flourishing, and continue to grow, said the president. She noted that Taiwan has been the seventh largest source of international students in the United States for three consecutive years, while nearly 1,000 US students came to Taiwan to pursue higher education during the academic year 2016. The Fulbright Program and the Critical Language Scholarship Program are also fine examples of bilateral educational exchanges.
President Tsai stated that Assistant Secretary Royce's visit to Taiwan is significant not only in terms of educational and cultural cooperation, but especially because it comes at a time when China is suppressing Taiwan, restricting our international space, and holding military operations that are detrimental to regional peace and stability. Her visit thus represents US government support for Taiwan. The president also feels that China's actions have unilaterally disrupted regional stability. The support that the United States and other like-minded countries have lent to Taiwan is likewise support for peace, stability, and maintenance of the status quo.
Taiwan and the United States will continue to strengthen all-round cooperation under the framework and commitments of the Taiwan Relations Act and the Six Assurances, the president said. She also expressed hope for advanced cooperation with the US, particularly on matters of security. In closing, President Tsai once again welcomed Assistant Secretary Royce, and wished her a pleasant and fruitful stay in Taiwan.
Assistant Secretary Royce then delivered remarks, saying that it's wonderful to be back in Taiwan. She said that there are 21,516 students from Taiwan who studied in the United States from 2016 to 2017. According to the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs at the US State Department, she noted, they have 3,200 exchange alumni from Taiwan. These figures represent life changing opportunities for many people, she said, and both President Tsai and she were part of such programs. Assistant Secretary Royce then said she hopes to deepen Taiwan-US cooperation and exchanges in education and culture.
