Representative Yui, Mrs. Yui, honorable members of the House of Representatives and Senate, distinguished guests, colleagues, and friends, good evening. I want to thank Rep. Yui, TECRO and the Senate Taiwan Caucus and Congressional Taiwan Caucus for hosting tonight’s event.
It’s wonderful to see so many familiar faces, and to be gathered together today with those who deeply understand and value the U.S.-Taiwan friendship.
Indeed, many of you, as distinguished members of Congress, are key supporters of Taiwan; we have your branch of government, of course, to thank for the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA)! And today, 45 years later, your staunch bipartisan and bicameral support for Taiwan remains highly visible, enduring, and valued.
I know a number of members have recently returned from or are preparing travel to Taiwan. These trips – not to mention your powerful statements of support following Taiwan’s elections – evidence the great confidence that undergirds our close partnership across party lines.
Representative Yui, it’s a particular honor to be here with you, and to have this opportunity to once again formally welcome you and your family to Washington. In just the past few months of your new role, you’ve certainly been busy!
From the Fourth High-Level Dialogue on the U.S.-Taiwan Education Initiative held at AIT just two days ago, to the signing last month of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the U.S. International Development Finance Cooperation (DFC) and the Taiwan International Cooperation Development Fund (ICDF), to the U.S.-Taiwan Working Group meeting on International Organizations in December, it’s been a great pleasure working closely with you and your team on our myriad initiatives. I’m confident that under your leadership, the U.S.-Taiwan partnership will continue to grow stronger and closer than ever.
This is an auspicious and appropriate time for us to come together – not only because it is the Year of the Dragon, which I understand is Rep. Yui’s zodiac year – but also with the 45th Anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act right around the corner.
Now, there is much I could say about the importance of the TRA, which, alongside the Three Joint Communiques and Six Assurances, guides our one China policy and our robust, growing partnership with Taiwan.
But, given that everyone gathered here with us right now understands the deep significance of this legislation, I’ll leave it at this: for nearly half a century, the framework provided by the TRA has enabled U.S. engagement with Taiwan to support Taiwan’s growth as a beacon of democracy in the Indo-Pacific region and around the world; as a thriving, vibrant economy; a key destination for and source of U.S. investment; as a technological powerhouse; and as a close friend of the United States.
Building on the significant advances in the U.S.-Taiwan partnership under the Taiwan Relations Act, I look forward expanding and deepening of our ties in the years to come.
Thank you to Representative Yui, TECRO and our Congressional colleagues for graciously hosting today’s event and thank you to everyone for your essential work advancing the U.S.-Taiwan partnership every day.
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Source: American Institute in Taiwan (AIT)
Speaker: Laura Rosenberger, Chair of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT)
Format: Speech
China Policy Research 