President Tsai makes stopover in Miami

2016/06/28

President Tsai Ing-wen stopped over June 25 in the U.S. city of Miami en route to Republic of China (Taiwan) diplomatic ally Panama, meeting with a senior official from the Washington Headquarters of the American Institute in Taiwan and U.S. politicians.

Upon touching down, she was warmly welcomed by AIT Managing Director Joseph R. Donovan and held talks with U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio. The pair discussed a number of important issues, with Rubio focusing on Taiwan’s national defense, as well as bilateral economic and trade exchanges.

Tsai said Taiwan needs U.S. technical assistance to realize its goal of developing indigenous submarines. She also expressed hope of continued congressional support for Taiwan taking part in the second round of Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations, and strengthening the scope of the Taiwan-U.S. Trade and Investment Framework Agreement.

The president also met with U.S. Rep. Ileana Rose-Lehtinen, chairwoman emeritus of the U.S. House Committee on Foreign Affairs. Rose-Lehtinen expressed her support for Taiwan and said she hopes the two sides can become even better friends and allies.

Tsai is on a nine-day trip to ROC diplomatic allies Panama and Paraguay. She will attend the June 26 inauguration ceremony of the Panama Canal expansion project, meet with Panama President Juan Carlos Varela and tour the Colon Container Terminal of Taipei City-headquartered Evergreen Marine Corp. In Paraguay, she will meet with President Horacio Cartes in the capital Asuncion and address the Paraguayan congress.

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=245837&ctNode=2194&mp=9)