On the morning of June 14, Vice President Dr. Johnny C. Chiang, accompanied by International Affairs Department Director Kevin C.F. Lin, met with former American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Chairperson James F. Moriarty.
Vice President Chiang first extended a warm welcome on behalf of President Daniel K.Y. Han. In his speech, he acknowledged that Chairperson Moriarty is a great friend of Taiwan with deep ties to the country. He highlighted that, during his tenure as Chairperson of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) from 2016 to 2023, the exchanges between Taiwan and the United States were particularly close. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, this period cemented the steadfast friendship between Taiwan and the U.S. Vice President Chiang further acknowledged the foundational role of the Taiwan Relations Act, enacted by the United States 45 years ago, in establishing a robust framework for Taiwan-U.S. relations. This legislation has facilitated comprehensive cooperation across security, economic, and social dimensions. In recent years, legislative exchanges between Taiwan and the United States have intensified, with the Legislative Yuan hosting numerous delegations from the U.S. Congress. These interactions have led to substantial and constructive discussions on how to further enhance the Taiwan-U.S. relationship.
Vice President Chiang continued by highlighting that the 11th Legislative Yuan USA Caucus (LUC) consists of over 70 members, making it a significant congressional caucus. The focus of Taiwan-U.S. Congressional exchanges has been on economic and security issues. In the economic realm, besides cooperation in the semiconductor industry, the arrival of the AI era presents new opportunities for collaboration. Vice President Chiang expressed confidence in further advancements in the semiconductor supply chain and welcomed more opportunities for cooperation between Taiwan and the U.S. in various fields. In terms of security, he noted Chairperson Moriarty's current role as a key advisor to the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, which bodes well for further progress in Taiwan-U.S. security cooperation. Vice President Chiang extended a warm invitation for Chairperson Moriarty to visit Taiwan again to enjoy its cuisine and scenic beauty.
Chairperson Moriarty remarked that interactions between Taiwan and the United States continue to grow, with American support for Taiwan extending beyond bipartisan congressional backing to include strong public support. Due to the robust trend of support within the U.S., he believes that Taiwan-U.S. relations will continue to flourish. Chairperson Moriarty further noted that the world faces numerous economic and security challenges today. The close cooperation between Taiwan and the U.S. is a natural trend that will gradually intensify, especially in the realm of advanced technology industries. He remains optimistic about the future development of Taiwan-U.S. relations and believes that closer cooperation between the United States and the Republic of China will be achieved.
During the bilateral talks, both sides engaged in an in-depth exchange of views on topics including party politics, the legislative environment, and the situation in the Indo-Pacific region. The discussions were conducted in a friendly and pleasant atmosphere, lasting approximately one hour. Following the exchange of commemorative gifts, the meeting concluded on a positive note.
