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On the morning of October 24, President Tsai Ing-wen met with a delegation from the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute (RRPFI). In remarks, President Tsai said that in recent years, we have made substantial efforts to promote self-sufficiency in national defense and that our programs to domestically produce aircraft and naval vessels have begun to yield results. President Tsai thanked the US government for normalizing military sales to Taiwan and continuing to deepen our bilateral security partnership. She added that we look forward to exploring more opportunities for Taiwan-US cooperation and to working together to deepen bilateral relations and further contribute to the international community.
A translation of President Tsai's remarks follows:
I would like to start by thanking RRPFI President David Trulio and the RRPFI for their kind hospitality and considerable support when I visited the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in April. I also thank the foundation for inviting Foreign Minister Joseph Wu (吳釗燮) and Representative to the US Bi-khim Hsiao (蕭美琴) to participate in forums and speak at events, helping enhance Taiwan-US relations.
Today, I warmly welcome you all to Taiwan to further advance Taiwan-US cooperation. I am particularly pleased to once again meet with former White House Senior Director for Counter-proliferation Strategy Michael Allen, former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for East Asia Heino Klinck, and RRPFI Policy Director Rachel Hoff. Like former US President Ronald Reagan, you are all strong supporters and friends of Taiwan. I have visited the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library twice over the past few years. Each trip has given me a deeper understanding of President Reagan's life and ideals.
President Reagan's Six Assurances remain a key foundation for the development of Taiwan-US relations. They also constitute a cornerstone for maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. President Reagan's approach of "peace through strength" has also profoundly influenced Taiwan.
Facing authoritarian expansion, Taiwan must continue to upgrade its defense capabilities and strengthen cooperation with democratic partners. In recent years, we have made substantial efforts to promote self-sufficiency in national defense, with our programs to domestically produce aircraft and naval vessels having begun to yield results. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the US government for normalizing military sales to Taiwan and continuing to deepen our bilateral security partnership.
Taiwan and the US share the values of freedom and democracy. Together, we strive for peace and prosperity in the region. President Trulio and our other distinguished guests have continued President Reagan's legacy and ideals in advocating for individual freedom, economic opportunity, and global democracy.
Through your visit, we look forward to exploring more opportunities for Taiwan-US cooperation. We hope that you will continue to make your mark on the world and work closely with us to deepen bilateral relations and further contribute to the international community.
RRPFI President Trulio then delivered remarks, thanking President Tsai for her warm welcome. Noting that he had the honor of welcoming President Tsai to the Reagan Library in April of this year, he said that it is truly special to be meeting with the president in Taiwan to once again affirm our shared values of freedom, democracy, and economic opportunity.
President Trulio quoted President Reagan, saying "there are cultural differences making nations each unique in its own way, but at the same time I think all are bound together with a common heritage of a love of freedom," and "our destiny is democracy and the defense of that destiny is one that all of us share."
He said that the members of his delegation are honored to be here today representing President Reagan and his timeless values, and that their trip continues the deep tradition of President Reagan's commitment to the people of Taiwan.
President Trulio stated that back in 1971, long before Ronald Reagan was president, then-Governor Reagan traveled to Asia, including to Taiwan, as a special representative for then-US President Richard Nixon. On that visit, President Trulio said, then-Governor Reagan affirmed, on behalf of the sitting US president, their defense commitment to and continued interest in the Republic of China.
President Trulio stated that in 1978, President Reagan visited Taiwan once again, this time addressing a conference hosted by the Sino-American Cultural and Economic Association. President Trulio then quoted President Reagan on his time in Taiwan, saying "everywhere we went in Taiwan we saw the evidence of a vigorous and successful society."
President Trulio continued that it was President Reagan's administration, as President Tsai noted, that in 1982 developed what became known as the Six Assurances – a framework that to this day serves as the foundation of relations between the United States and Taiwan.
He then thanked President Tsai for meeting with his delegation and for the series of engagements they have in Taiwan this week.
President Trulio said they are confident that together we will solidify our commitment to security, freedom, and economic opportunity that our peoples hold dear.
The delegation also included RRPFI Washington Director Roger Zakheim, former US Senator for Missouri Jim Talent, former Chairman of the US House Armed Services Committee William Mac Thornberry, Google Vice President of Government Affairs and Public Policy Mark Isakowitz, Citigroup Managing Director Kent Lucken, and RRPFI Chief Marketing Officer Melissa Giller.
