President Ma Ying-jeou met with Governor James Douglas of the US State of Vermont on the morning of October 30 at the Presidential Office. The president, on behalf of the government and people of the ROC (Taiwan), extended a warm welcome to Governor Douglas and the delegation he is leading.
The president noted that Governor Douglas previously visited Taiwan in 1982 during his tenure as Vermont Secretary of State. This visit to Taiwan marks his first in his capacity as governor. The president remarked that a portion of Taiwan's population may not be too familiar with Vermont, which is located in the northeast corner of the United States. However, Vermont and Taiwan Province entered into a sister state relationship back in 1999. In addition, Vermont has set up a trade office here to promote commercial and trade relations between the two places. Taiwan is Vermont's sixth largest trading partner and its second largest export market, the president commented, adding that bilateral relations are quite friendly.
President Ma stated that 38 years ago when he was invited to visit the United States under a program run by the State Department, he made a visit to Middlebury, Vermont, to participate in international activities. He said that the graceful countryside landscapes and snowy winter vistas, made a deep impression on him. Vermont, he said, not only has a developed agricultural and industrial sector, but also is home to many language schools famous throughout the United States. President Ma stated that when he was studying in Boston, he had frequent opportunities to go to Vermont. Consequently, he said he is quite familiar with the state's situation, as well as the close bond between Vermont and Taiwan.
President Ma said he hopes that Governor Douglas's visit to Taiwan will help to further strengthen relations between the governments and private sectors of the two places. He said he is confident that this would create significant benefits for both sides. In particular, he said, the American public has consistently viewed the people of Taiwan as extremely friendly. The American military deployed helicopters to Taiwan to assist in delivering aid, along with machines and tools, shortly after southern Taiwan encountered severe flooding and landslides caused by Typhoon Morakot in early August, he said, adding that the people of Taiwan will always remember this with gratitude.
Governor Douglas said that he is delighted to hear of President Ma's pleasant memories of Vermont. The governor also used this opportunity to reiterate his sympathies for the victims of the August disaster. He commented how four years ago portions of the United States were devastated by Hurricane Katrina. Although Vermont was not impacted, he said he could identify with those whose lives were changed by the disaster. Governor Douglas said he hopes that reconstruction work progresses smoothly, enabling the lives of people in the area to return to normal as soon as possible.
Governor Douglas also remarked that Taiwan is his last stop on a tour of the Asia-Pacific and is also the place he is staying the longest. He said he was particularly impressed by the high-tech industries in the Nankang Software Park and the Neihu Technology Park. While Vermont is small, it is home to 250 software companies, he said. The governor added that employees in those firms earn a good wage and are involved in environmental protection initiatives. He expressed his hopes to find more opportunities for cooperation between Vermont and Taiwan and to attract Taiwan firms to invest in Vermont, thereby helping to promote further development of economic and trade ties between the two.