Ambassador Jason Yuan and Mrs. Yuan of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO) in the U.S. hosted a Mongolian Barbeque dinner for the U.S. Senate Chiefs of Staff Association on July 18, 2011 at the Twin Oaks Estate. There were thirty-three guests, including twenty-one Senate Chiefs of Staff. The dinner was held outdoors serving Mongolian Barbeque and Taiwan Beer, as well as playing the ROC Centennial Celebration Musical Hits and American country music.
In his remarks, Ambassador Yuan first thanked all the Chiefs of Staff attending the dinner for taking time out of their busy schedule and then briefed them on the history of the Twin Oaks Estate. TECRO especially thanked the many U.S. Senators who helped the ROC government to withhold this important premises, and thanked the U.S. Congress for passing the Taiwan Relations Act to maintain U.S.-Taiwan relations until today. Over the years, TECRO has invited many U.S. Senators to Twin Oaks for luncheon or dinner meetings. TECRO is very pleased to see so many Senate Chiefs of Staff in attendance at the dinner and hopes to maintain close working relations in the future.
Ambassador Yuan also briefed the attendees about the recent developments of cross-Strait relations. As Ambassador Yuan said, since President Ma, Ying-jeou took office in May 2008, he has strived to improve cross-Strait relations and achieved many solid accomplishments, which have not only greatly reduced the tensions in the region, but also helped Taiwan weather the global economic recession, further enhance economic growth and reduce the unemployment rate. Ambassador Yuan emphasized that despite improved cross-Strait relations, Taiwan still hopes that U.S. Senators will continue to support Taiwan-related issues. Finally, Ambassador Yuan invited those Chiefs of Staff and their Senators to visit Taiwan at their convenience in order to strengthen U.S.-Taiwan relations.
The Democratic Co-Chair of the U.S. Senate Chiefs of Staff Association, James Brown, who is also Chief of Staff to Senator Bob Casey (R-PA), expressed that the United States supports Taiwan’s freedom and democracy and he admires the outstanding achievements of Taiwan’s economic development. He also expressed the Association’s gratitude to Ambassador and Mrs. Yuan for the invitation to the dinner. He particularly praised the beauty of the Twin Oaks Estate that has attracted a record-high number of Chiefs of Staff. He pledged that the Association will continue to work with TECRO.
The Association’s Republican Co-Chair, Michelle Barlow, who is also Chief of Staff to Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS), stated that Taiwan was America’s 9th largest trading partner and that the U.S. has a legal obligation under the Taiwan Relations Act to maintain the security of the Taiwan Strait. The U.S. has enjoyed economic and strategic ties in the East Asian region. She and Senator Wicker had visited Taiwan and left with memorable impressions. They will continue to work closely with TECRO to support Taiwan on related issues.
At the end of the dinner, the staff of TECRO led the guests on a tour of the main house of the Twin Oaks Estate. The guests all felt impressed by the antiques of the historical building and its amazing history. Overall, all the guest thought that it was one of the most pleasant and unforgettable banquets that they had ever had.
