The US recognizes Taiwan’s efforts to improve its self-defense capabilities, American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Chair Laura Rosenberger said yesterday during a meeting with President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文), who called for further economic cooperation with the US.
Tsai thanked US President Joe Biden’s administration for continuing to normalize arms sales to Taiwan, which could help bolster the nation’s self-defense capabilities.
Taiwan has been improving its defense capabilities, with the latest achievement being the first domestically made submarine, the Hai Kun (海鯤), or “Narwhal,” unveiled last month — a milestone in Taiwan’s defense autonomy, she said.
Photo: CNA
Strengthening mutually beneficial trade and investment relations between Taiwan and the US is also a top priority, Tsai said.
Tsai expressed hope that negotiations on the second phase of the US-Taiwan Initiative on 21st-Century Trade, which began in August following the signing of the first agreement in June, would go smoothly.
The initiative provides a good platform for the US to ensure Taiwan’s prosperity and resilience, so that Taiwan can contribute to the global economy, Rosenberger said.
The trade talks under the initiative allow both sides to strengthen trade and investment relations, and build a safer and more resilient economy, she said.
The US is also working on solutions to eliminate double taxation between Taiwan and the US, she added.
Rosenberger reiterated that the US’ commitment to Taiwan is “rock solid,” principled and bipartisan, adding that Washington hoped Taipei would continue to be committed to maintaining the “status quo.”
Based on the Taiwan Relations Act, the US strives to ensure that Taiwan has the ability to defend itself by providing it with the assistance it needs through various tools and methods, she said.
Both sides should raise global awareness of Taiwan and the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, which would help expand Taiwan’s international participation, she said.
Taiwan is a beacon of democracy, an important force in the Indo-Pacific region and a force for good in the world, Rosenberger said.
Separately, Tsai earlier yesterday reiterated that Taiwan would refrain from provocations and aggression while acting as a force for good to contribute to the world when she met with a delegation from the American Enterprise Institute think tank.
Institute president Robert Doar said that the institute has long been a supporter of close friendship between Taiwan and the US.
It has prioritized studies on the US strategy and policy toward Asia to prepare the US for facing the challenges posed by its primary global rival, China, and safeguard freedom and democracy in the region, he said.
Experts at the institution hope to improve the defense readiness of the US and its allies through increased investment and closer cooperation strategies, he said.
The delegation hopes to learn about Taiwan’s view on the challenges it is facing, so it could help them cooperate with policymakers in the US to further deepen ties with Taiwan, he said.
Tsai said that Taiwan has long been working with the institute, citing the strategy forums jointly held by the Ministry of National Defense and the institute as an example.
The institute is committed to promoting freedom, democracy and market economy, which are values shared by Taiwan and the US, she said.
Under the lead of Doar since 2019, the institute has invited Representative to the US Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) for opinion exchanges, published books and established the Coalition Defense of Taiwan project to give international society a deeper understanding of the challenges the nation is facing, Tsai said.
Tsai thanked the academics for calling on the US government to deepen ties with Taiwan and promote bilateral exchanges through concrete actions such as visiting the nation.
Tropical Storm Gaemi strengthened into a typhoon at 2pm yesterday, and could make landfall in Yilan County tomorrow, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said yesterday. The agency was scheduled to issue a sea warning at 11:30pm yesterday, and could issue a land warning later today. Gaemi was moving north-northwest at 4kph, carrying maximum sustained winds near its center of up to 118.8kph and gusts of 154.8kph. The circumference is forecast to reach eastern Taiwan tomorrow morning, with the center making landfall in Yilan County later that night before departing from the north coast, CWA weather forecaster Kuan Shin-ping (官欣平) said yesterday. Uncertainty remains and
SEA WARNING LIKELY: The storm, named Gaemi, could become a moderate typhoon on Wednesday or Thursday, with the Taipei City Government preparing for flooding A tropical depression east of the Philippines developed into a tropical storm named Gaemi at 2pm yesterday, and was moving toward eastern Taiwan, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said. Gaemi could begin to affect Taiwan proper on Tuesday, lasting until Friday, and could develop into a moderate typhoon on Wednesday or Thursday, it said. A sea warning for Gaemi could be issued as early as Tuesday morning, it added. Gaemi, the third tropical storm in the Pacific Ocean this typhoon season, is projected to begin moving northwest today, and be closest to Taiwan on Wednesday or Thursday, the agency said. Today, there would likely
DISRUPTIONS: The high-speed rail is to operate as normal, while several airlines either canceled flights or announced early departures or late arrivals Schools and offices in 15 cities and counties are to be closed today due to Typhoon Gaemi, local governments announced last night. The 15 are: Taipei, New Taipei City, Taoyuan, Tainan, Keelung, Hsinchu and Kaohsiung, as well as Yilan, Hualien, Hsinchu, Miaoli, Chiayi, Pingtung, Penghu and Lienchiang counties. People should brace for torrential rainfall brought by the storm, with its center forecast to make landfall on the east coast between tonight and tomorrow morning, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said. The agency issued a sea warning for the typhoon at 11:30pm on Monday, followed by a land warning at 11:30am yesterday. As of
CASUALTY: A 70-year-old woman was killed by a falling tree in Kaohsiung as the premier warned all government agencies to remain on high alert for the next 24 hours Schools and offices nationwide are to be closed for a second day today as Typhoon Gaemi crosses over the nation, bringing torrential rain and whipping winds. Gaemi was forecast to make landfall late last night. From Tuesday night, its outer band brought substantial rainfall and strong winds to the nation. As of 6:15pm last night, the typhoon’s center was 20km southeast of Hualien County, Central Weather Administration (CWA) data showed. It was moving at 19kph and had a radius of 250km. As of 3pm yesterday, one woman had died, while 58 people were injured, the Central Emergency Operation Center said. The 70-year-old