Mr. Daniel D. Y. Chou, Consular Division Director of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States (TECRO), joined by Ms. Mary Nitsch, International Affairs Director at the Office of Maryland Secretary of State, and Mr. William Sorenson assigned to the Maryland Emergency Management Agency, announced on May 11 Taiwan’s donation of 100,000 surgical face masks to support frontline medical personnel of the State of Maryland.
Director Chou said in his remarks: "It is an honor on behalf of the people and government of Taiwan to present to the State of Maryland our donation of 100,000 surgical face masks to support frontline medical personnel in combating the pandemic. Taiwan and Maryland share longstanding friendship and cooperation as Taiwan cherishes unmistakable, mutually-beneficial partnership with Maryland. Let us work together in this difficult time to overcome the challenges and get our normal life back soon. Today's donations are part of the third-wave of Taiwan's international humanitarian assistance against the COVID-19 outbreak as more than 30 million good-quality surgical face masks already delivered to support frontline medical personnel globally, including over 6 million of them coming to the United States since early April."
Director Chou stressed that at the launch of the Taiwan-U.S. Partnership against Coronavirus on March 18, President Tsai Ing-wen noted in her interview with Time Magazine, “COVID-19 is a humanitarian disaster that requires the joint efforts of all countries.” As the world toils to fight the pandemic, Taiwan is doing all it can, and is willing and able to contribute even more to global community. President Tsai has been calling on WHO to invite Taiwan to fully participate in all meetings, especially the upcoming World Health Assembly (WHA) which will be held on May 18 virtually in Geneva, Switzerland and to restore Taiwan’s observer status for the good of international public health and the well-being of the world. "Taiwan can help, and indeed Taiwan is helping." Taiwan is very proud to stand with Maryland during this challenging time. Together, we will win!
Ms. Nitsch thanked Taiwan and TECRO on behalf of the State of Maryland for the very generous donation and pointed out that the donation comes at a very difficult time. As we know amid the pandemic timing is everything, and this timely donation helps our patients and our first responders on the frontline fighting this disease. Maryland has been benefited from our international friends during this health crisis with generous donations of essential medical needs and we would like to thank Taiwan in particular.
Taiwan and Maryland enjoy longstanding bonds. Bilateral trade reached around $370 million in 2019, and there are around 450 Taiwanese students studying in Maryland. Taiwan signed a ”Mutual Agreement on the Reciprocal Issuance of Driver Licenses” with Maryland in 2013, benefiting both sides and ensure robust relationship onward.
