Taipei, Oct. 15 (CNA) American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Chairwoman Laura Rosenberger arrived in Taiwan on Sunday night for a five-day visit, during which she will meet with senior government officials, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said.
This visit, Rosenberger’s third to Taiwan since assuming her post on March 20, will focus on such issues as regional peace and security and bilateral trade and investment, the ministry said in a statement. She is scheduled to leave on Oct. 19.
The ministry welcomed Rosenberger, saying it hoped that the two sides will build on their existing solid foundation to further deepen their cooperative relationship.
Rosenberger first visited Taiwan from April 18 to 23 as AIT chair, and her second trip to the country was June 5-10.
The AIT represents U.S. interests in Taiwan in the absence of official diplomatic ties.
It is headquartered in Virginia and has a main office in Taipei and a branch office in Kaohsiung.
Its Taipei director serves as the top U.S. envoy to Taiwan while the chairperson serves more of a ceremonial role.
A Reuters report published in March, citing four people familiar with the Biden administration’s thinking, predicted, however, that Rosenberger would take a more “hands-on approach” to building unofficial ties with Taiwan than her two immediate predecessors.
A major focus of her job, the report said, will be to maintain communication channels with candidates in Taiwan’s presidential election on Jan. 13, 2024, which could affect the dynamic between Taipei and Beijing.
The main opposition Kuomintang chose New Taipei Mayor Hou Yu-ih (侯友宜) as its candidate, and he will face Vice President Lai Ching-te (賴清德), the ruling Democratic Progressive Party’s nominee, and former Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) of the Taiwan People’s Party.
Rosenberger has met all three of them in Taipei or in the U.S. earlier this year.
