Tsai welcomes largest US Senate delegation in 10 years

2016/06/08

President Tsai Ing-wen received the largest U.S. Senate delegation in 10 years headed by U.S. Sen. John McCain, chairman of the U.S. Senate Armed Service Committee, June 5 at the Office of the President in Taipei City, expressing hopes of strengthening Taiwan-U.S. relations across the areas of economy, international participation and security.

“Ties between Taiwan and the U.S. are going from strength to strength, as evidenced when the Congress reaffirmed the Taiwan Relations Act and Six Assurances as the cornerstone of bilateral relations last month,” Tsai said.

Signed into law in 1979 following the switch of recognition from Taipei to Beijing by the U.S., the TRA authorizes the continuation of substantive relations between the people of the U.S. and the people on Taiwan in the absence of diplomatic ties between them.

In 1982, the Reagan administration issued the Six Assurances, stipulating that the U.S. would not set a date for termination of arms sales to Taiwan; alter the terms of the TRA; consult with mainland China in advance before making decisions about U.S. arms sales to Taiwan; mediate between Taiwan and mainland China; alter its position about the sovereignty of Taiwan and pressure Taiwan to enter into negotiations with mainland China; and formally recognize mainland Chinese sovereignty over Taiwan.

In acknowledging the significance of the first Senate group to visit Taiwan led by the ASC head in 24 years, Tsai said she is grateful for Congress’s staunch support, citing the inclusion of Taiwan-related personnel exchanges and training activities in the U.S. National Defense Authorization Act passed last month.

“We are looking forward to enhanced defense collaboration in arms sales and military security, and have every reason to believe that our shared commitment to regional security will play a significant role in maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the Asia-Pacific.”

On the economic front, Tsai said she expects to step up annual trade of over US$66 billion between Taiwan and the U.S. “With the full support of the Congress, we are also looking forward to joining the Trans-Pacific Partnership, playing our part in facilitating international trade while assisting the U.S. strategy of pivot to Asia.”

McCain said the U.S. is equally enthusiastic about deepening the robust trade partnership, pledging his support for Taiwan’s inclusion in the second round of TPP negotiations. He also reaffirmed his government’s commitment to upholding Taiwan’s security under the TRA framework.

The president concluded the meeting by reasserting Taiwan’s determination to assume a more proactive role in the global community, adding that Taiwan will continue seeking participation in the International Criminal Police Organization as well as the International Civil Aviation Organization and the World Health Assembly.

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=245401&ctNode=2194&mp=9)