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During a meeting with The Heritage Foundation founder Dr. Edwin J. Feulner on the afternoon of October 10, President Tsai Ing-wen thanked friends in the international community who uphold democratic values for their assistance, helping the Taiwan-US partnership continue to move steadily ahead.
In remarks, President Tsai said it was a pleasure to welcome old friends of Taiwan to the Presidential Office like Dr. Feulner and Mr. Anthony Kim (Research Manager and Editor of the Index of Economic Freedom at The Heritage Foundation), and also offered a special welcome to Mr. Phil Bond (President and CEO of Bond & Associates Strategic Government Affairs) and Mr. Mark Cowan (CEO of Potomac International Partners). She then remarked that the last time she met with Dr. Feulner was in June this year when they both attended the dedication ceremony for the American Institute in Taiwan's new compound, opening a new chapter in Taiwan-US relations.
The president said she was pleased that following that milestone, the Taiwan-US partnership has continued to move steadily ahead. Signs of that progress include the US State Department's approval of another arms sale to Taiwan last month, and recent remarks by US Vice President Mike Pence expressing the US government's support for Taiwan's democratic achievements and inclusion in international society, as well as US concerns about the regional security situation. These developments all testify to robust Taiwan-US relations, and our shared efforts to safeguard democracy, and maintain peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
President Tsai then noted that Taiwan-US economic and trade relations are also growing, including Taiwan's Chinese Petroleum Corporation's US$25 billion purchase contract for liquefied natural gas (LNG) with the United States, Formosa Petrochemical Corporation's investment of US$9.4 billion to establish petrochemical plants in Louisiana, and Foxconn's investment of US$10 billion to construct a liquid crystal displays (LCD) manufacturing plant in Wisconsin.
Last month, she said, Taiwan's Agricultural Goodwill Mission was also in the United States, and signed a letter of intent to purchase more US products. These concrete actions show that Taiwan is the most steadfast democratic ally of the United States, and its most reliable trading partner as well.
The president then noted that as Taiwan-US relations continue to deepen, we want to thank many friends in the international community who uphold democratic values for their assistance, and Dr. Feulner deserves special appreciation for his long-term staunch support for Taiwan. For decades, she said, The Heritage Foundation that he founded has made tremendous contributions to the world, especially in promoting democracy and world peace.
In closing, President Tsai said that in facing the many challenges that lie ahead, she trusts that Dr. Feulner will continue to be a strong supporter of Taiwan, so that future generations can live in a free, prosperous and democratic world, just as he envisioned when he established the foundation.
