TECRO and AIT Signed a Memorandum of Understanding to Establish the Coast Guard Working Group (CGWG)
On March 25th, 2021, Taiwan Representative to the United States Bi-khim Hsiao and Managing Director Ingrid Larson of American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Establishing the Coast Guard Working Group (CGWG). They were joined by Acting Assistant Secretary Ambassador Sung Kim from the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, Department of State, as well as Director of International Affairs and Foreign Policy Advisor Ann Castiglione-Cataldo from the United States Coast Guard.
In her remarks, Representative Hsiao quoted President Tsai’s words that “the ocean is coded in the DNA of Taiwanese people.” She emphasized that as a responsible stakeholder in the Indo-Pacific region, Taiwan is ready and willing to do more in the maritime domain. For years, the U.S. and Taiwan coast guards have worked closely together on issues including Maritime Search and Rescue and Fisheries Enforcement. It is our hope that with the new Coast Guard Working Group (CGWG), both sides will forge a stronger partnership and jointly contribute even more to a Free and Open Indo-Pacific region.
The CGWG established by the MOU will provide a platform for both sides to discuss, review, prioritize and coordinate efforts focused on improving communications, building cooperation, and sharing information between TECRO and AIT through their Designated Representatives, the USCG and Taiwan Coast Guard. This is another major milestone in Taiwan-U.S. relations.
