The American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) yesterday confirmed that it purchased a plot of land in Taipei to build a residential complex for its staff, saying the decision reflects the US’ strong long-term commitment to the nation.
“On Nov. 28, 2018, AIT finalized a conditional purchase agreement with Jean Co, Ltd [新美齊] for the construction of a new residential tower in Tianmu [天母] and purchase of the underlying land,” AIT spokesperson Jesse Curtis said in an e-mail.
“When completed, AIT plans to use the residential tower as housing for AIT staff and their families,” Curtis said, confirming a report in the Chinese-language Liberty Times (the Taipei Times’ sister newspaper) about the deal.
Photo: CNA
It was not the AIT’s first real-estate purchase in Taiwan, as the newspaper had reported, he said without elaborating.
The purchase reflected the US’ commitment to its ties with Taiwan, but did not indicate any change in the US’ “one China” policy or its commitments under the Taiwan Relations Act, Curtis said.
“The US is strongly committed to our enduring friendship with Taiwan, with whom we share common values and enjoy close cooperation on a wide range of regional and global issues,” he said. “The purchase of real property on Taiwan is another reflection of this commitment.”
Photo: Hsu Yi-ping, Taipei Times
Presidential Office spokesman Sidney Lin (林鶴明) welcomed the purchase, saying that it symbolizes the progression of Taiwan-US ties over the past two years.
Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairman Wu Den-yih (吳敦義) said renting houses is not a permanent solution, and that he believed the deal is a clear signal that the ties between Taiwan and the US are strong and solid.
The 1,000m2 plot of land and construction of the building is to cost NT$1.16 billion (US$37.6 million), Jean Co said.
The AIT in June held a dedication ceremony for its new compound in Taipei’s Neihu District (內湖), the first purpose-built facility by a foreign representative office in the nation.
The AIT is still operating out of its compound on Xinyi Road in Taipei, where it has been for almost 40 years, but is expected to officially move into the Neihu compound next month.
Additional reporting by staff writer
CRITICAL MOVE: TSMC’s plan to invest another US$100 billion in US chipmaking would boost Taiwan’s competitive edge in the global market, the premier said The government would ensure that the most advanced chipmaking technology stays in Taiwan while assisting Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC, 台積電) in investing overseas, the Presidential Office said yesterday. The statement follows a joint announcement by the world’s largest contract chipmaker and US President Donald Trump on Monday that TSMC would invest an additional US$100 billion over the next four years to expand its semiconductor manufacturing operations in the US, which would include construction of three new chip fabrication plants, two advanced packaging facilities, and a research and development center. The government knew about the deal in advance and would assist, Presidential
‘DANGEROUS GAME’: Legislative Yuan budget cuts have already become a point of discussion for Democrats and Republicans in Washington, Elbridge Colby said Taiwan’s fall to China “would be a disaster for American interests” and Taipei must raise defense spending to deter Beijing, US President Donald Trump’s pick to lead Pentagon policy, Elbridge Colby, said on Tuesday during his US Senate confirmation hearing. The nominee for US undersecretary of defense for policy told the Armed Services Committee that Washington needs to motivate Taiwan to avoid a conflict with China and that he is “profoundly disturbed” about its perceived reluctance to raise defense spending closer to 10 percent of GDP. Colby, a China hawk who also served in the Pentagon in Trump’s first team,
SEPARATE: The MAC rebutted Beijing’s claim that Taiwan is China’s province, asserting that UN Resolution 2758 neither mentions Taiwan nor grants the PRC authority over it The “status quo” of democratic Taiwan and autocratic China not belonging to each other has long been recognized by the international community, the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) said yesterday in its rebuttal of Beijing’s claim that Taiwan can only be represented in the UN as “Taiwan, Province of China.” Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi (王毅) yesterday at a news conference of the third session at the 14th National People’s Congress said that Taiwan can only be referred to as “Taiwan, Province of China” at the UN. Taiwan is an inseparable part of Chinese territory, which is not only history but
INVESTMENT WATCH: The US activity would not affect the firm’s investment in Taiwan, where 11 production lines would likely be completed this year, C.C. Wei said Investments by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC, 台積電) in the US should not be a cause for concern, but rather seen as the moment that the company and Taiwan stepped into the global spotlight, President William Lai (賴清德) told a news conference at the Presidential Office in Taipei yesterday alongside TSMC chairman and chief executive officer C.C. Wei (魏哲家). Wei and US President Donald Trump in Washington on Monday announced plans to invest US$100 billion in the US to build three advanced foundries, two packaging plants, and a research and development center, after Trump threatened to slap tariffs on chips made
RSS