Tsai receives AIT’s Oudkirk, pledges to enhance Taiwan-US ties

2021/08/12

President Tsai Ing-wen received new American Institute in Taiwan Director Sandra Oudkirk Aug. 10 in Taipei City, vowing to continue partnering with the U.S. in taking bilateral ties to new heights.
 
Oudkirk is a long-standing friend of Taiwan whose appointment is sincerely welcomed by the government and people, Tsai said. Her local experience includes a visit in 2019 as head of a delegation for the inaugural Pacific Islands Dialogue and a posting in the 1990s with the AIT, she added.
 
According to Tsai, great strides have been made in deepening friendship and expanding exchanges between the two sides over the past years. This is illustrated by such gestures as the timely donation of a total 2.5 million COVID-19 vaccine doses to Taiwan by the U.S. in June, she said.
 
Another example, Tsai said, is the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement council meeting the same month. It underscores the commitment of the like-minded partners to promoting economic cooperation while laying the groundwork for the commencement of talks in the future on a bilateral investment agreement, she added.
 
Tsai said the latest arms sale to Taiwan announced by the Department of State further reaffirms the strength of the enduring relationship. The government and people are grateful for this support, and will keep cooperating with the U.S. in safeguarding peace and stability throughout the Indo-Pacific, she added.
 
In response, Oudkirk said she is delighted and honored to be back in Taiwan serving as AIT director at a time when two-way ties are at an all-time high. The steady and positive development of economic and security relations paves the way for more cooperation across the board, she added.


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