President Tsai meets AIT Taipei Office Director William Brent Christensen
On the morning of January 12, President Tsai Ing-wen met with American Institute in Taiwan Taipei Office Director William Brent Christensen. She said that Taiwan and the United States have continued to expand our cooperation across security, the economy, and our shared values based on the foundation of democracy and freedom. The Taiwan-US partnership has already grown from a bilateral partnership to a global partnership. She added that Taiwan is an irreplaceable partner in the international community, as well as a key player in regional democratic development, and that she is confident that Taiwan can work together with the United States to contribute more to the world.
A translation of the president's remarks follows:
Through yesterday's election, the Taiwanese people once again used their ballots to communicate our democratic values to the world. Democracy and freedom are indeed Taiwan's most precious assets, as well as the foundation for the longstanding, firm Taiwan-US partnership.
And on this foundation, Taiwan and the United States have continued to expand our cooperation across security, the economy, and our shared values over the past three years. Last year marked the 40th anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act. Our bilateral relationship also marked more concrete progress and was more open, diverse, and institutionalized. I particularly want to thank Director Christensen for lending his full support to these exchanges and cooperation.
In security, we will continue to cooperate to strengthen our national defense capabilities. In regard to the economy, we look forward to bolstering the integration of the Taiwan-US industry chain and continuing to deepen our trade relations. The Taiwan-US partnership has already grown from a bilateral partnership to a global partnership. In the future, we will continue to build on the foundation we have created over the past three years to strengthen our cooperation on global issues.
I am confident that Taiwan can work together with the United States to contribute more to the world. We are both irreplaceable partners in the international community, as well as key players in regional democratic development.
Finally, I want to once again thank Director Christensen for supporting Taiwan. I trust that we will engage in even more cooperation in the future to continue strengthening the Taiwan-US relationship.
Today's meeting started with Director Christensen offering his congratulations to President Tsai on her victory in yesterday's election. He commended Taiwan's voters for making their voices heard by participating in this sacred democratic process. He added that this election serves as a reminder that the United States and Taiwan are not just partners; we are members of the same community of democracies, bonded by our shared values.
Director Christensen said that during President Tsai's first term in office, it was his privilege to work with her in pursuit of the United States and Taiwan's many common interests: growing our trade and investment relationship, building democratic, technical, and economic capacity in countries across this region; supporting Taiwan's security, and in turn, advancing regional stability. He added that, he is incredibly proud of the progress that we have already made, and he is confident the United States and Taiwan will continue to strive together and thrive together in the coming years.