Tue, Oct 17, 2023 page1

• Taiwan’s defense improving: AIT chair

  RESILIENCE: President Tsai Ing-wen thanked US President Joe Biden’s administration for continuing to normalize arms sales to bolster Taiwan’s self-defense capabilities

  • By Liu Tzu-hsuan / Staff reporter
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  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.

  

  President Tsai Ing-wen, left, shakes hands with American Institute in Taiwan Chair Laura Rosenberger at the Presidential Office in Taipei yesterday.

  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.
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