[New Tang Dynasty News, June 25, 2021, Beijing time]On Thursday (24th), Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs presented diplomatic medals to the directors and deputy directors of the American Association in Taiwan (AIT) Taipei Office in recognition of their work Contributions to the promotion of Taiwan-US relations. Deputy Director Raymond Greene bluntly stated in his speech that day that the United States no longer regards Taiwan as an issue in US-China relations.
According to a report by VOA, Brent Christensen, Director of AIT’s Taipei Office, and Gu Liyan, Deputy Director, will both leave Taiwan after full term. Gu Liyan will fly from Taiwan to Tokyo next week as the acting US ambassador to Japan.
On Thursday, Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs held an award ceremony at the Taipei Hotel. Foreign Minister Wu Zhaoxie presented Li Yingjie’s “Special Diplomacy Medal” and Gu Liyan’s “Friendship Diplomacy Medal” to commend their contributions to promoting Taiwan-US relations during their tenure. Contribution.
On the same day, Gu Liyan emphasized in his speech that the United States no longer sees Taiwan as a “problem” in the relationship between the United States and China, but instead sees Taiwan as an opportunity to build a free and open Indo-Pacific common vision, and see Taiwan as an effort to build a common vision. The “people’s beacon” of a just, safe, prosperous and democratic world.
In his speech, Gu Liyan said that when he first worked in Taipei 20 years ago, the US would return to cross-strait relations when considering all Taiwan-related issues, and that it would consider how to put it in the overall situation of US-China relations. Enter Taiwan. However, in the past three years, the United States and Taiwan have held meetings frequently, and the term “China” has never appeared at all. “This reflects the fundamental changes in US-Taiwan relations.”
According to Taiwan’s “United Daily News,” a senior official in charge of cross-strait affairs in the US State Department reiterated that the United States regards Taiwan as a democratic partner of common value in an exclusive telephone interview with the media on the 23rd, and has repeatedly emphasized the current US-Taiwan relationship. The unofficial relationship between China is stronger than at any time in decades.
According to reports, the senior official mentioned in an interview that after the outbreak of the Chinese Communist pneumonia (COVID-19) epidemic last year, when the United States needed it, Taiwan reached out and donated a large number of masks; now Taiwan needs the help of the United States, the United States It can also send 2.5 million doses of Modena vaccine to Taiwan. This is an excellent case of mutual support between the United States and Taiwan.
He said that Taiwan is also the ninth largest trading partner of the United States and a democratic partner. The United States and Taiwan share common values and expectations on a broad level. At present, whether it is in international organizations, the COVID-19 epidemic, or cooperation to ensure that Taiwan is free from coercive aggression, the “unofficial relationship” between the United States and Taiwan is stronger than ever.
When talking about U.S.-China relations, the senior official said frankly that the current relationship between the U.S. and the CCP is “a bit complicated.” If China wants to do so, there are indeed areas for cooperation between the U.S. and China; however, it is clear that Beijing and Washington. There are competitive factors. In some areas, the relationship between the two parties is obviously confrontational.
A reporter from the United Daily News also asked: When will the US-Taiwan Economic Prosperity Partnership Dialogue and the Taiwan-US Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) be resumed?
A senior US official replied that TIFA matters are handled by the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR). According to the information released by the USTR a few days ago, it is believed that a new round of TIFA consultations will be held soon.
As for the Economic Prosperity Partnership Dialogue, this was created by the former US Deputy Secretary of State Keith Krach, so everything has to wait until the new Deputy Secretary of State takes office before deciding whether to resume.
(Reporter He Yating Comprehensive Report / Chief Editor: Mei Lan)
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