Taiwan is a crucial partner to the US in maintaining global peace and stability, American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Chair Laura Rosenberger said on Wednesday, adding that the US remains committed to supporting Taiwan’s self-defense capabilities.
“Our commitment to Taiwan’s self-defense capacity is rock solid,” Rosenberger said at a banquet held by overseas Taiwanese for Vice President William Lai (賴清德) at the San Francisco Airport Marriott Waterfront hotel in Burlingame.
Lai made a stopover in San Francisco on the way back to Taiwan from a trip to attend Paraguayan President Santiago Pena’s inauguration on Tuesday.
Photo courtesy of the Presidential Office
San Francisco and Taipei became sister cities more than 50 years ago and at least 14 counties in California followed suit as bilateral cultural, economic and technological ties continue to grow, Rosenberger said.
“I have experienced firsthand the broadening and deepening of this [Taiwan-US] partnership, particularly [in the] economic, trade and education sectors” since taking up the post five months ago, she said.
The collaboration in high-tech development and investment is a two-way relationship, she said.
Photo courtesy of Taiwan’s Presidential Office
The US implements the Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors and Science Act to attract Taiwanese investment, while many US technology companies have increased their investment in Taiwan, including Cadence Design Systems Inc and Lam Research Corp, she said.
US President Joe Biden’s administration “is committed to expanding Taiwan’s partnership,” she said, adding: “It is essential that Taiwan has an opportunity to share its expertise in areas such as climate and pandemic preparedness when addressing global challenges.”
She looks forward to Taiwan’s meaningful participation in APEC high-level meetings and the Economic Leaders’ Meeting, which is to be held in San Francisco in November.
Photo: Reuters
Former US secretary of homeland security Janet Napolitano expressed admiration for Taiwan’s innovation, entrepreneurship and “bedrock commitment to democracy.”
Admitting Taiwan as a member of the US’ visa waiver program, which she did in 2000, “was the right thing to do,” as the nation is “a leading economic partner ... [and] one of the safest places in the world,” Napolitano said.
Lai thanked Rosenberger and the US for helping arrange his return stopover — and his stop in New York on the way to Paraguay — based on the principles of safety, comfort, convenience and dignity.
Taiwan and the US have enjoyed ever-closer relations under the leadership of President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文), he said.
Taiwan not only shines in the semiconductor industry, but its development in fields such as information and communications technology, passive components, precision mechanics, metal fabrication and textiles also play important roles in global supply chains, he said.
Taiwan has a key role to play in promoting global democracy, peace and prosperity, he added.
“Here I make my promise to everyone: Going forward, I will do all I can to lead Taiwan continuously forward — with peace as the lighthouse and democracy as the compass,” Lai said.
“During good times and bad times, Taiwan has been closely standing together with democratic societies in the past decades,” he said.
Taiwan has never been alone,” Lai said, adding that ties with the US are “unprecedentedly good.”
Lai promised to promote the National Project of Hope to build Taiwan into an innovative and prosperous nation, and to drive economic progress and development.
As the world is pursuing fair trade and competition, security, net zero carbon emissions and social inclusion, Taiwan must seize opportunities to extend its advantages, he said.
Taiwan boasts a democratic system — which suits innovation and development — abundant funds and a complete technological industry chain, he said.
He called on overseas Taiwanese to work together to build Taiwan into “Asia’s Silicon Valley.”
Lai’s speech ended with the crowd chanting “go Taiwan” and “get elected.”
Lai is scheduled to return to Taiwan at 4:45am today.
Additional reporting by CNA and Reuters
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