President Tsai receives Sen. Gardner, pledges to expand Taiwan’s international participation

2018/05/29

President Tsai Ing-wen received U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner at the Office of the President May 26 in Taipei City, pledging to expand Taiwan’s international participation in the face of China’s ongoing suppression campaign.
 
 Gardner’s special visit underscores the importance he attaches to Taiwan and is a resounding vote of U.S. confidence in the country, Tsai said. Such a gesture strengthens Taiwan’s resolve to play a bigger role in the global community and is evidence of the world rallying to the country’s cause, she added.
 
 Tsai said it is a pleasure to receive Gardner, chairman of the U.S. Foreign Relations Subcommittee on East Asia, the Pacific and International Cybersecurity Policy, for the third time since taking office, adding that the latest meeting holds special significance given recent events.
 
 In the past weeks, China has sent military aircraft to circle Taiwan, suppressed the country diplomatically, lured away two allies, prevented Taiwan from participating in the 71st World Health Assembly, and used bullying and pressure tactics to force foreign companies and airlines to change Taiwan’s designation to “Taiwan, China” on their websites, according to Tsai.
 
“These crass political moves show that China is attempting to change the status quo of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait,” she said.
 
 Tsai described Gardner as a “reliable friend of and voice for Taiwan in the U.S. Congress,” and said he has worked for many years to strengthen bilateral relations and grow the country’s global footprint.
 
 Just before he departed on his visit to Asia, Gardner and Sen. Ed Markey introduced Taiwan International Participation Act of 2018, urging the U.S. government to support the country’s participation in international organizations, Tsai said. Gardner also recently introduced the Asia Reassurance Initiative Act to develop a long-term strategic vision and comprehensive, multifaceted and principled U.S. policy for the Indo-Pacific region, she added.
 
 The government and people of Taiwan, Tsai said, are deeply grateful to Gardner for this staunch backing and friendship.
 
 According to Tsai, Taiwan’s bid for observer status in the WHA and participation in other meetings and activities of the World Health Organization is an attempt to share the country’s cutting-edge medical expertise. “We have the capacity and the willingness to work together with the international community to contribute to the enhancement of public health,” she said.
 
“We also believe that the WHO is not about politics but about the health of humankind.”
 
In response, Gardner said Taiwan offers the world an “excellent” example of global leadership, and one which China could learn from. He also commended the government for its offer to donate US$1 million to the WHO’s campaign to combat Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
 
“This is a very significant health concern,” he said, adding that it shows the leadership Taiwan is prepared to deliver and is carrying out.
 
 Gardner said the success and security of Taiwan is in the greater interest of the U.S., which is why he supports strong ties between the two sides. The U.S. will seek further opportunities to cooperate with Taiwan across a broad spectrum of areas and work on safeguarding the freedom and security of the Asia-Pacific, he added.

Source: Taiwan Today (https://taiwantoday.tw/news.php?unit=2&post=135167)