President Tsai vows to work with US in building open, inclusive, prosperous...

2018/07/26

President Tsai Ing-wen said July 24 that Taiwan will continue working with the U.S. in building an open, inclusive, prosperous and rules-based Indo-Pacific by promoting enhanced cooperation among like-minded countries.
 
 Exchanges and dialogue are invaluable in an increasingly interconnected and interdependent world, especially when the shared values of Taiwan, the U.S. and other partners are increasingly challenged, Tsai said. It is believed this approach will bring about a more stable region within 10 years, she added.
 
 According to the president, a prime example is the meeting between the health ministers of Taiwan and the U.S. on the sidelines of the World Health Assembly—the decision-making body of the Geneva-headquartered World Health Organization—in May. Through this strengthening partnership, both sides are demonstrating a determination to promote global health for the good of all, she said.
 
 Tsai made the remarks while receiving Ash Carter, former U.S. secretary of defense, at the Office of the President in Taipei City. Currently director of the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs at Harvard Kennedy School, Carter delivered a keynote address earlier in the day at Ketagalan Forum: 2018 Asia-Pacific Security Dialogue.
 
 Although the country’s international space is under pressure from China via a strategy of poaching diplomatic allies and pressuring private companies to change Taiwan’s designation on websites, Tsai said the people will not yield nor surrender their cherished freedom and democracy.
 
 The government’s resolve to engage with the world only grows in the face of such an approach, Tsai said. As a responsible member of the global community, Taiwan is committed to maintaining cross-strait peace and stability through dialogue and will not change its goodwill toward China, she added.
 
 Tsai also took the opportunity to thank Carter for the support of the U.S. during what has been a challenging time for Taiwan. The backing of like-minded countries is deeply appreciated by the government and people of Taiwan, she added.

Source: Taiwan Today (https://taiwantoday.tw/news.php?unit=2&post=138567)