Maroc - TAIWANTODAY.TW - Top News - 01/Apr 00:00

President Lai receives US senator

President Lai Ching-te said April 8 that Taiwan is committed to working with like-minded partners to solidify democracy and safeguard peace to build a more prosperous and secure future for the next generation.   Lai made the remarks while receiving U.S. Senator Jim Banks at the Presidential Office in Taipei City. He thanked the senator from Indiana for his long-standing support of Taiwan, citing a joint letter signed by Banks and 36 other members of the U.S. Congress in February that expressed support for Taiwan’s US$40 billion special defense budget and laid out concerns regarding China as a threat to Taiwan.   According to the president, the joint letter sent a clear message that Taiwan is not alone as it faces authoritarian expansion and regional security challenges. He also said that Taiwan must demonstrate its determination to enhance self-defense capabilities and maintain cross-strait and regional peace and stability, urging the Legislature to pass the special defense budget bill.   Lai said that April 10 marks 47 years of the Taiwan Relations Act, adding that Taiwan and the U.S. are important partners in maintaining regional peace and stability, as well as in such fields as national defense, economic and trade matters, security, technological development. He anticipated further exchange and cooperation between the two countries.   Following Lai’s remarks, Banks said his visit reaffirms that the U.S. stands with Taiwan. He described Taiwan as key to global prosperity and the safeguarding of a free and open Indo-Pacific, and praised the bilateral relationship new heights as evidenced by the record-breaking sale of U.S. munitions and military equipment to Taiwan last December and the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade inked in February.   The senator also suggested that his constituency of Indiana would be the best future investment destination for Taiwanese companies, citing current trade numbers between the state and Taiwan in excess of US$1 billion and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.’s outreach to students in relevant fields at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. (YCH-E)   Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw