Ma lauds new milestone in Taiwan-US ties

2015-01-06

President Ma Ying-jeou said Jan. 2 that the flag-raising ceremony on New Year’s Day at Twin Oaks Estate in Washington represents a new milestone in Taiwan-U.S. ties.

“This event underscores high levels of mutual trust between Taipei and Washington, as well as tremendous improvements in the bilateral relationship since I took office in May 2008,” Ma said. “It also bears testimony to the international community’s recognition of my viable diplomacy policy.”

According to Ma, Taiwan-U.S. relations are at their best since the severing of official diplomatic ties between the two countries in 1979. “In line with the principles of viable diplomacy, Taipei and Washington have made significant headway on key issues in the last six and a half years.

“Two rounds of talks have been held since March 2013 under the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement to further bolster two-way trade and the economic partnership,” he said.

In addition, the president said U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Gina McCarthy’s participation in Taiwan’s International Environmental Partnership last April not only marked the first official visit by a senior U.S. Cabinet member in 14 years, but paved the way for expanded bilateral collaboration and Taiwan’s increased influence on the global stage in key areas.

Other advances include Taiwan’s admission to the U.S. Visa Waiver Program—the only country without formal diplomatic ties to be granted such status by the U.S.—and arms sales totaling US$18.3 billion over the past six-plus years, Ma said, adding these are clear indicators that mutual trust between the two sides has been rebuilt.

The flag-raising ceremony at Twin Oaks—a U.S. National Register-listed mansion that served as the official residence of nine ROC ambassadors from 1937 to 1978, was held by the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the U.S. Attendees included Taiwan’s representative to the U.S. Shen Lyu-shun, ROC diplomatic and military officers, and members of the Taiwan expatriate community.

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=225892&CtNode=413)