President Tsai meets delegation of scholars organized by US Brookings Institution
On the morning of June 22, President Tsai Ing-wen met with a delegation of scholars focusing on comparative politics in the Taiwan Strait that was organized by the Brookings Institution, a Washington-based think tank. The president said that Taiwan will continue to cooperate with the United States and other like-minded countries, making our contribution to regional peace, prosperity, and stability. She also said she looks forward to Taiwan-US relations moving toward an era of even closer partnership.
In remarks, President Tsai noted that all the delegation members were scholars of Taiwan's political and economic development, and long-term observers of cross-strait relations, so she was pleased they made the long journey here, and looked forward to their observations and advice on the regional situation.
Commenting on recent conditions in the Asia-Pacific region, the president pointed out that we've seen many changes in the Taiwan Strait, the South China Sea, and on the Korean Peninsula. In the midst of all this, Taiwan has remained a responsible member of the international community, and has long striven to maintain the cross-strait status quo and safeguard peace, prosperity, and development throughout the region.
President Tsai said it is regrettable that China continues to increase its pressure on Taiwan and has unilaterally implemented the northbound M503 and related flight routes, sent military aircraft and vessels to circle Taiwan, coerced private companies in other nations into changing Taiwan's designation on their websites, and interfered in Taiwan's international participation. These attempts to unilaterally change the status quo across the Taiwan Strait and undermine regional peace and stability are not beneficial to cross-strait relations, nor are they welcomed by the international community.
The president reiterated that China's suppression will not alter Taiwan's determination to engage with the world. We will continue to cooperate with the United States and other like-minded countries, she said, making our contribution to the region's peace, prosperity, and stability.
Addressing Taiwan-US relations, President Tsai stated that the United States is Taiwan's most important strategic and trading partner, and has lent us substantial support over the past two years. It has announced arms sales to Taiwan, reaffirmed its security commitments under the Taiwan Relations Act, and approved a marketing license for US manufacturers to assist building Taiwanese indigenous submarines. It has also supported Taiwan's participation in the World Health Assembly and other important international organizations.
The president then mentioned that last Tuesday, the inauguration of the American Institute in Taiwan's new complex in Neihu, Taipei was an important milestone in Taiwan-US relations, which symbolizes the two countries' firm belief in achieving common goals. She also said she looks forward to Taiwan-US relations moving toward an era of even closer partnership.
Also included in the delegation was Dr. Richard Bush, co-director of the Center for East Asia Policy Studies at the Brookings Institution.