President Tsai Ing-wen and U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Kelly Craft held a video conference Jan. 14 in which they discussed how the Taiwan Model is leading the world in the fight against COVID-19, according to the Presidential Office.
 
During the virtual meeting, Tsai said it is unfortunate Craft was unable to travel to Taipei as scheduled for a two-day visit earlier this week. The government and people sincerely appreciate her staunch support for Taiwan’s international participation and welcome her to visit anytime in the future, she added.
 
As a force for good in the world, Taiwan is willing and able to make greater contributions to the international community, Tsai said, adding the government will keep striving to take part in the U.N. system while demonstrating that the country is a vital part of the rules-based order.
 
According to Tsai, Craft is a longtime friend of Taiwan who has helped deepen the bilateral relationship. The people have been inspired by her outspoken support and actions such as meeting James K.J. Lee, director-general of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New York, and taking part in a workshop staged under the Global Cooperation Training Framework led by Taiwan and the U.S.
 
In several tweets on her official Twitter account, Craft said despite having much to offer in health and cutting-edge science and technology, Taiwan is unable to share those successes in U.N. venues. The U.S. will always stand with its like-minded partner as friends and pillars of democracy, she added.
 
Others present for the call included Minister of Foreign Affairs Jaushieh Joseph Wu, American Institute in Taiwan Director Brent Christensen and David Feith, deputy assistant secretary for regional, security policy and multilateral affairs of the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs. (SFC-E)
 
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