The goodwill and support extended to Taiwan by the executive and legislative branches of the U.S. are sincerely appreciated by the government and people, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs March 17.
 
Taiwan and the U.S. enjoy a close and friendly relationship, with bilateral ties going from strength to strength in recent years as a result of joint efforts by the two sides, the MOFA said following President Donald J. Trump’s signing into law the day before of the Taiwan Travel Act.
 
Passed by the U.S. Senate Feb. 28 and the U.S. House of Representatives Jan. 9, the act states that it should be the policy of the U.S. to authorize officials at all levels to visit Taiwan to meet with their counterparts and allow high-level officials from Taiwan to enter the U.S. under conditions that demonstrate appropriate respect for the dignity of such officials.
 
In a tweet on her official Twitter account, President Tsai Ing-wen thanked Trump for signing the bill into law. “I look forward to working with your administration to further the longstanding partnership,” she said.
 
According to the MOFA, since Trump took office, two-way ties have reached new heights as illustrated by the frequent visits of senior U.S. officials to Taiwan for events under the Global Cooperation and Training Framework.
 
Launched in 2015, the Taiwan-U.S. GCTF serves as a platform for addressing global and regional challenges. Related efforts span such areas as disaster relief, health care, humanitarian aid, small and medium enterprise development and youth exchanges.
 
The MOFA said Taiwan will continue deepening its partnership with U.S. across all areas under the principles of mutual trust and mutual benefits.
 
This position was echoed by the Office of the President, which expressed its gratitude for the unwavering, long-term support of Taiwan by the U.S., adding that as a member of the global community, the country is committed to developing even stronger bilateral relations so as to contribute to the peace, stability and well-being of the region.
 
In a release issued by the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Rep. Ed Royce said the act is long overdue and needed as the Taiwan-U.S. relationship is critical to American interests in the region.
 
The two sides share a commitment to democracy, rule of law and human rights, Royce said. Taiwan’s successes serve as an example of what can be built based on these principles, and partners who have achieved democracy should be supported as they can inspire others across the region, he added. (SFC-E)

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