The U.S. Senate Taiwan Caucus (STC), Congressional Taiwan Caucus (CTC) and Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States (TECRO) co-hosted a reception in the U.S. Capitol on March 6, 2024, to welcome Taiwan’s new Representative to the U.S., Ambassador Alexander Yui, and commemorate the 45th anniversary of the enactment of the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA).
A total of 42 U.S. Senators and Representatives attended the event. In addition to the co-chairs of STC and CTC, attendees include Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Ranking Member Roger Wicker (R-MS) of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Ranking Member Jim Risch (R-ID) of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Chairman Michael McCaul (R-TX) of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Congressman Ted Lieu (D-CA), Vice Chair of House Democratic Caucus, and Congresswoman Lisa McClain (R-MI), Secretary of House Republican Conference. Ms. Laura Rosenberger, Chair of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) was also in attendance.
CTC co-chairs Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL) and Ami Bera (D-CA) welcomed Amb. and Mrs. Yui, highlighting that the TRA and strong bipartisan support from the U.S. Congress are the cornerstones of the Taiwan-U.S. partnership.
Amb. Yui stated that as Taiwan’s Representative to the U.S., he intends to build upon the solid foundation laid by his predecessors including Vice President-elect Bi-khim Hsiao, and looks forward to working with Congress and the Executive Branch to further enhance Taiwan-U.S. relations. He stresses that the TRA, together with the Six Assurances, have served as the North Star guiding U.S. and Taiwan policymakers in an increasingly challenging geopolitical environment. The TRA has been instrumental for the U.S. to provide for Taiwan’s defensive capabilities; to insist on the peaceful resolution of cross-strait disputes; to help Taiwan resist coercion; and to support Taiwan’s international participation. These bedrock commitments provided Taiwan security and the political space to create a vibrant democracy, a system that respects human rights, the rule of law, and market-based economic principles. In recent years, the U.S. Congress passed several key legislative acts to enhance Taiwan’s self-defense capabilities and ensure the implementation of the U.S.-Taiwan Initiative on 21st Century Trade. Taiwan deeply appreciates the strong and bipartisan support from the U.S. Congress and is hopeful that the pending legislation that addresses the issue of double taxation can be passed in the near term.
U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) also delivered remarks on the Senate Floor today to commemorate the 45th anniversary of the TRA. More here: https://www.republicanleader.senate.gov/newsroom/remarks/mcconnell-marks-45th-anniversary-of-taiwan-relations-act?peek=Cia8L9mhzAHkAM2sxN7tytGny4781KPiurKtryS7CNyPs7W8
