MOFA welcomes Undersecretary of State Krach, US delegation to Taiwan

2020/09/18

The visit to Taiwan by Keith Krach, undersecretary of state for economic growth, energy and the environment, and the accompanying U.S. delegation is warmly welcomed by the government and people, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Sept. 17.
 
 In country until Sept. 19, the group also includes Robert A. Destro, assistant secretary of the Department of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor. Krach is the highest-level official from the U.S. Department of State to visit Taiwan since 1979.
 
 During Krasch’s three-day visit, he will meet with President Tsai Ing-wen and get up to speed on the latest economic and political developments in Taiwan. He is to be joined by Destro in attending the memorial service for late President Lee Teng-hui, the country’s first democratically elected head of state.
 
 Starting at 9:30 a.m. Sept. 19, the event will be staged primarily at the chapel of Aletheia University in New Taipei City. Among the 800 expected attendees are Tsai, Vice President Lai Ching-te, officials, foreign envoys, representatives of political parties, and Lee’s family members and friends.
 
 The MOFA said Krach and Destro will pay tribute on behalf of the U.S. to Lee’s contribution to the development of the country’s democracy. This was echoed by Morgan Ortagus, spokesperson of the U.S. Department of State, who said in a statement Sept. 16 that the U.S. honors Lee’s legacy by continuing strong bonds with Taiwan and its vibrant democracy through shared political and economic values.
 
 Krasch’s trip follows the announcement Aug. 31 by David Stilwell, assistant secretary of state for Asia and the Pacific, that like-minded partners Taiwan and the U.S. are establishing a “new bilateral economic dialogue” centered on energy, health care, semiconductors and technology. It also maintains the momentum of the historic Taiwan visit earlier the same month by Alex Azar, secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services—the highest ranking U.S. Cabinet member to visit Taiwan since 1979.
 
 According to the MOFA, increased interaction between officials from Taiwan and the U.S. reflects the closeness of two-way ties and augurs well for the future. It is anticipated the trip will further deepen friendship and expand exchanges based on shared values between the two sides, the ministry said.

Source: Taiwan Today (https://taiwantoday.tw/index.php)