President Tsai Ing-wen welcomed a delegation from the U.S. led by Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar at the Presidential Office Aug. 10 in Taipei City, saying the visit represents a high watermark in Taiwan-U.S. relations over the past four decades.
 
This year, the like-minded partners have worked closely to address the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Tsai said, citing the Taiwan-U.S. Joint Statement on a Partnership against Coronavirus released in March to promote exchanges of medical supplies and R&D of vaccines and drugs.
 
Azar’s visit will help the U.S. better understand Taiwan’s approach to containing the disease, while allowing both sides to share views on issues of mutual concern and identify areas for future cooperation, she added.
 
According to Tsai, Taiwan has demonstrated its ability to manage COVID-19 at home while assisting other countries to contain the disease. This is despite its regrettable exclusion from the World Health Assembly due to political considerations that override the human right to health, she said.
 
Tsai also took the opportunity to thank U.S. President Donald J. Trump, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Azar for their recognition of the Taiwan Model’s effectiveness and their strong support for Taiwan’s international participation. The president said she is sure the two sides’ efforts will lead to breakthroughs in disease prevention and contribute to peace, stability and development in the Indo-Pacific.
 
In response, Azar said Taiwan’s handling of COVID-19 has been one of the best worldwide, which includes its tremendous success in limiting the disease outbreak, sharing information and sending valuable supplies to countries including the U.S. and Pacific island nations.
 
The trip is designed to learn from this success, which is a tribute to the open, transparent and democratic nature of Taiwan society, he added. (SFC-E)
 
Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw