Ma praises strength of Taiwan-US relations

2014-09-29

President Ma Ying-jeou said Sept. 25 that Taiwan-U.S. relations are going from strength to strength, characterized by clear communication and high levels of mutual trust between officials in Taipei and Washington.

“Tremendous improvements have been made in the bilateral relationship since I took office in May 2008,” Ma said. “The visit by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Gina McCarthy in April is testament to these rock-solid ties.”

Ma made the remarks while receiving American Institute in Taiwan Chairman Raymond Burghardt at the Presidential Office in Taipei City. Burghardt is in Taiwan on a five-day visit for exchanges with senior officials on issues of mutual interest.

According to the president, Taiwan and the U.S. have made significant headway on key issues such as reinstating talks under the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement and negotiations of a bilateral investment agreement.

“The U.S. Department of State and Office of the U.S. Trade Representative have also welcomed Taiwan’s bid for accession to the Trans-Pacific Partnership on several occasions, further underscoring the country’s support for Taiwan,” Ma said.

Other achievements cited by the president include U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry praising Taiwan’s peaceful approach to resolving fishery disputes, and Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Russel reaffirming on several occasions U.S. commitment to the Taiwan Relations Act.

“Regional stability is also of great importance to both sides,” Ma said, adding that Taipei-Beijing relations continue developing in a peaceful and positive manner.

“At the same time Taiwan is improving its relationship with mainland China, it is also expanding ties with other trading partners. This includes signing economic cooperation agreements with Singapore and New Zealand last year.”

Concerning the South China Sea, the president said given the unique nature of sovereignty issues relating to the region, and the complexity of relevant international laws, it is imperative to take a macroscopic perspective in resolving disputes.

“While sovereignty cannot be divided, resources can be shared,” Ma said, urging all parties to embrace the spirit of his East China Sea Peace Initiative and address disagreements through peaceful dialogue.

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=222149&CtNode=413)