Ma lauds robust Taiwan-US ties

2015/08/24

President Ma Ying-jeou said Aug. 20 that Taiwan is committed to enhancing bilateral relations with the U.S. while promoting regional peace and stability.

“The low-key and surprise-free approach adopted by the government since I took office in May 2008 helped restore mutual trust between Taipei and Washington and took two-way exchanges to their highest level in 36 years,” Ma said.

“This healthy state of affairs is underscored by Taiwan’s description as a vital security and economic partner of the U.S. in Asia by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, his predecessor Hillary Clinton and Susan Thornton, deputy assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs.”

Ma made the remarks while receiving a U.S. congressional delegation led by Rep. Lois Frankel at the Presidential Office in Taipei City.

According to the president, strong Taiwan-U.S. ties are further illustrated by the Taiwan Relations Act and US$18.3 billion in arms sales since 2008, as well as the support of U.S. Congress for expanded military exchanges.

“House and Senate committees both passed amendments calling for Taiwan’s participation in the Rim of the Pacific Exercise and Red Flag air combat exercise,” he said.

Strengthening trade and economic ties also paid handsome dividends, the president said, adding that Taiwan became the 10th largest trading partner of the U.S. in 2014, while the U.S. replaced Japan as Taiwan’s second largest partner.

“We hope to see Taipei and Washington fast-track a bilateral investment agreement to further bolster this aspect of the relationship. Such progress is particularly important as Taiwan is committed to taking part in the Trans-Pacific Partnership given that the negotiating members account for 35 percent of Taiwan’s foreign trade.”

Taiwan-U.S. relations have improved in tandem with cross-strait relations, Ma said. “Taiwan and mainland China have concluded 21 agreements in the past seven years, with visitors from the other side making more than 14 million trips to Taiwan during the period.

“All of these developments help create the most peaceful Taipei-Beijing ties in 66 years.”

The stability stemming from this positive development has provided fresh impetus for Taiwan to play an even greater role as a responsible stakeholder and valuable member of the international community, the president said.

“Taiwan will continue promoting regional peace through the principles outlined in my East and South China Sea Peace initiatives. And we expect to see further advances in cultural, economic and people-to-people exchanges with countries and territories around the world.”

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=234058&ctNode=413)