President Tsai Ing-wen praises the strength of Taiwan-U.S. relations during an address at a banquet Oct. 28 in Hawaii. (CNA)

President Tsai Ing-wen said Oct. 29 that Taiwan-U.S. relations are at an all-time high and the Republic of China (Taiwan) government welcomes the U.S.’s commitment to maintaining peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific.
 
The mutually beneficial nature of bilateral ties is underscored by the increased interest and support shown by the U.S. public and private sectors in the government’s five-plus-two innovative industries initiative and New Southbound Policy, she said. At the same time, Taiwan is expanding U.S.-based investment and operations as evidenced by tens of billions of U.S. dollars in pledges by the biggest ever delegation of local firms at SelectUSA Investment Summit in June, she added.
 
The president made the remarks during a meeting with academics and officials from East-West Center and Pacific Forum Center for Strategic and International Studies in Hawaii. She is stopping over in the U.S. state as part of an eight-day visit to ROC diplomatic allies Marshall Islands, Tuvalu and Solomon Islands.
 
Earlier in the day, Tsai attended a banquet hosted by Taiwan expatriates and attended by U.S. officials such as James F. Moriarty, chairman of Washington-headquartered American Institute in Taiwan, and members of the Hawaii House of Representatives.
 
During the event, she said Taiwan will continue working closely with the U.S. in areas like national defense, regional security, and trade and investment based on shared values and mutual interests.
 
Concerning her first official visit to the Pacific, Tsai said the trip is in line with the government’s policy of building stronger ties with ROC diplomatic allies, promoting regional prosperity and assisting the Marshall Islands, Tuvalu and Solomon Islands address sustainable development challenges. It also represents the desire of the people of Taiwan to reach out to the world, she added.
 
The president’s Pacific itinerary includes meetings with Marshall Islands President Hilda C. Heine, Tuvalu Prime Minister Enele S. Sopoaga and Governor General Iakoba Taeia Italeli, and Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare and Governor General Frank Ofagioro Kabui.
 
During the Marshall and Solomon islands legs of the visit, Tsai is scheduled to address the legislative bodies of both nations and inspect bilateral agricultural and medical cooperation projects. She will stopover in the U.S. territory of Guam before returning to Taiwan Nov. 4, according to the Office of the President. (SFC-E)