LONG-LASTING FRIENDSHIP:
Lai invited the president of the Marshall Islands to his inauguration, as the two nations mark the 26th anniversary of diplomatic relations
By Chen Yun and Jason Pan / Staff reporters
Taiwan is committed to working with democratic countries to safeguard regional peace and stability, and aims to join the US-led Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF), president-elect William Lai (賴清德) told a US-Taiwan Business Council delegation yesterday.
Lai told the delegation, led by former US undersecretary of state for economic growth, energy and the environment Keith Krach, that Taiwan plays a pivotal role in preserving peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region, and as president he would seek to maintain the “status quo” in the Taiwan Strait.
Thanking the US government for its strong support for Taiwan’s democracy, as shown in visits by high-level delegations after the Jan. 13 presidential and legislative elections, Lai said that Taiwan would work with the US to open up for more bilateral investment and to establish a more predictable investment environment.
Photo: CNA
He also asked the council for its support in enhancing the resiliency of Taiwan-US supply chains in key industry sectors, and expressed willingness to join the IPEF.
He added that Taiwan is an important and reliable partner for the US in safeguarding security and promoting economic prosperity in the region.
Krach, chairman of the Krach Institute for Tech Diplomacy at Purdue, congratulated Lai and vice president-elect Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) on winning the presidential election.
He said it was urgent that the US and Taiwan engage in “tech diplomacy.”
It was Hsiao’s first official meeting with foreign dignitaries at the Presidential Office in her capacity as vice president-elect. She and Lai had earlier received a Japanese delegation at the Democratic Progressive Party office.
In other foreign affairs news, Lai in a videoconference call invited the president of the Marshall Islands to attend his presidential inauguration on May 20.
Accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs Joseph Wu (吳釗燮), Lai called Marshallese President Hilda Heine, who was sworn in as president on Jan. 2, a good friend of Taiwan, adding that Taipei would continue to support the Pacific island nation.
Heine reaffirmed her nation’s firm and long-lasting friendship, and that bilateral relations remain rock-solid regardless of the test of time or external pressure, a news release issued by the Presidential Office said.
This year marks the 26th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Taiwan and the Marshall Islands, built on their common Austronesian roots and values of democracy, freedom and the rule of law, it quoted her as saying.
Her government would continue to work with Taiwan and other like-minded countries to contribute to the security and resilience of the Indo-Pacific region.
Meanwhile, President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) is today to meet with the first delegation of US lawmakers to visit Taiwan since the elections.
US representatives Mario Diaz-Balart and Ami Bera, co-chairs of the US Congressional Taiwan Caucus, arrived yesterday, the Presidential Office said.
Bera and Diaz-Balart are to meet with Lai, Hsiao, Wu and other political leaders before departing today, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
In a joint statement, Bera and Diaz-Balart said the trip aimed to “reaffirm US support for Taiwan following their successful democratic elections, express solidarity in their shared commitment to democratic values, and explore opportunities to further strengthen the robust economic and defense relationship between the United States and Taiwan.”
Additional reporting with CNA
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