VP Lai receives new AIT head, vows to strengthen Taiwan-US ties

2021/08/18

Vice President Lai Ching-te received American Institute in Taiwan Director Sandra Oudkirk Aug. 13 at the Presidential Office in Taipei City, vowing to take bilateral ties to new heights.
 
Significant progress has been made in deepening friendship and expanding exchanges between the like-minded partners over the past years. Lai sad. This is illustrated by the ongoing commitment of the U.S. to the Taiwan Relations Act and Six Assurances, as well as the timely donation of 2.5 million COVID-19 vaccine doses to Taiwan in June, he added.
 
Other examples, Lai said, include the inaugural session of the Taiwan-U.S. Consultations on Democratic Governance in the Indo-Pacific Region in 2019, numerous workshops on key issues under the Taiwan-U.S. Global Cooperation and Training Framework and reciprocal visits by senior officials of the two sides.
 
Lai also thanked the administration of U.S. President Joe Biden for recognizing Taiwan as a force for good during international events and stressing the importance of cross-strait peace and stability in several statements jointly issued with like-minded partners. Such votes of confidence are what the people expect and underscore the virtuous circle of the democratic world, he added.
 
In the face of challenges such as climate change, disease prevention and global supply chain security, as well as China’s efforts to undermine international order, Lai said it is imperative for Taiwan, the U.S. and other democracies to respond in a cohesive and unified manner.
 
Lai said as per President Tsai Ing-wen’s cross-strait policy, the government will continue honoring its commitments, extending goodwill and maintaining the status quo. But it will never bow to pressure nor revert to the old path of confrontation, he added.
 
Taiwan is willing to engage with China based on the principles of peace, reciprocity, democracy and dialogue, Lai said, adding that this approach represents the will of the people.


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