Tsai receives new AIT chairman at Office of President

2016/10/27

President Tsai Ing-wen received Oct. 25 American Institute in Taiwan Chairman James F. Moriarty at the Office of the President in Taipei City, stating that she is looking forward to working with the newly appointed official to deepen and consolidate Taiwan-U.S. relations.

Taiwan and U.S. share such values as freedom, democracy, respect for human rights and the rule of law, Tsai said. These form the basis of an “irreplaceable friendship” that will continue strengthening on the back of expanded cooperation and exchanges.

The president took the opportunity to thank Moriarty for Washington’s adherence to the Taiwan Relations Act and Six Assurances, and concrete action in support of Taiwan’s security and democracy.

Signed into law in 1979 after the U.S. switched recognition from Taipei to Beijing, the TRA authorizes the continuation of substantive relations between the people of the U.S. and the people of Taiwan. The Six Assurances stipulate that the U.S. will not set a date for ending arms sales to Taiwan; revise the TRA; consult with mainland China on arms sales to Taiwan; mediate between Taiwan and mainland China; alter its position on the sovereignty of Taiwan or exert pressure on Taiwan to enter into talks with mainland China; or formally recognize mainland Chinese sovereignty over Taiwan.

Tsai also expressed gratitude for the positive attitude of the U.S. in backing Taiwan’s bid for meaningful participation in international organizations.

According to the president, she enjoys a longstanding friendship with Moriarty, and hopes he will employ his experience and influence in helping Taiwan and the U.S. maintain peace and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific, as well as enabling the country to play a bigger part on the international stage.

“Taiwan is willing and able to make a concrete contribution to the global community,” Tsai said, citing humanitarian aid cooperation over the past decades between Taiwan and its international partners, including the U.S.

In response, Moriarty said Taiwan and U.S. ties are going from strength to strength in line with the former’s maturing democracy. He hopes both sides can expand bilateral cooperation, with Taiwan playing a more important role in the region via initiatives like the Global Cooperation and Training Framework.

Taipei and Washington inked a memorandum of understanding on establishing the GCTF in June 2015. The framework enables Taiwan and the U.S. to cooperate in addressing global issues such as education, energy, environmental protection, humanitarian assistance, public health, regional development and technology.

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=249006&ctNode=2194&mp=9)