113.04.23. (國際處098)
立法院江啟臣副院長於本(4月23)日下午在「臺美國會議員聯誼會」副會長葛如鈞委員、副會長張啓楷委員、賴惠員委員、國際事務處林晨富處長，以及外交部駐美國代表處國會組林呈曦組長等人陪同下，接見美國聯邦眾議院共和黨黨團會議秘書長麥珂蓮（Lisa McClain）所率跨黨派訪問團一行6人。
On the afternoon of April 23, Vice President Dr. Johnny C. Chiang of the Legislative Yuan welcomed a six-member bipartisan delegation led by Lisa McClain, Secretary of the Republican Conference at the United States House of Representatives. Also present were Legislator Ko Ju-chun, Vice Chairperson of the Legislative Yuan USA Caucus (LUC), Legislator Chang Chi-kai, Vice Chairperson of the LUC, Legislator Lai Hui-yuan, International Affairs Department Director Kevin C.F. Lin, and Director of the Congressional Affairs Group at the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office, Mr. Lin Cheng-hsi.
江副院長首先以「臺美國會議員聯誼會」榮譽會長身分對訪團表達誠摯歡迎。他表示今年是《台灣關係法》(TRA)立法第45週年，這幾十年來，美國政府與國會都透過該法案，對台灣提供各項實質協助，我政府及人民深表感謝。江副院長續稱，依據「瑞典斯德哥爾摩國際和平研究所」（SIPRI）本(4)月22日發布之報告，去（2023）年全球國防預算達到2.443兆美元的歷史新高，顯示全球和平與安全局勢正在不斷惡化中。令人欣慰的是，近年美國在軍備方面對我國的大力協助，確實能有效提升台灣自我防衛能力，尤其是美國聯邦眾議院於4月20日通過總金額953億美元的「2024年國安緊急補充撥款法案」（The Emergency National Security Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2024），旨在軍援台灣及強化美國在印太區域維持區域和平穩定，其中在「印太安全補充撥款法案」中編列了81.2億美元經費，對此，江副院長再次對美國國會表達感謝。
Vice President Chiang, as the Honorary Chairperson of the LUC, extended a warm welcome to the delegation. He noted that this year marks the 45th anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA), through which the U.S. government and Congress have provided substantial assistance to Taiwan over the past few decades. Vice President Chiang expressed deep gratitude on behalf of the government and the people of Taiwan. He continued by mentioning a report released by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) on April 22, stating that global defense spending reached a historic high of $2.443 trillion in 2023, indicating a worsening global peace and security situation. Vice President Chiang expressed relief that the recent substantial assistance from the United States in military matters has indeed enhanced Taiwan's self-defense capabilities. He particularly highlighted the passage of the Emergency National Security Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2024, totaling $95.3 billion, by the United States House of Representatives on April 20, which allocated $81.2 billion in the Indo-Pacific Security Supplemental Appropriations Act to provide military aid to Taiwan and strengthen U.S. efforts to maintain regional peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. Vice President Chiang expressed gratitude to the U.S. Congress once again for this support.
江副院長也特別強調三位美國聯邦眾議員長期以實際行動聲援我國，包括麥珂蓮議員曾於2021年敦促拜登政府對台展開正式的雙邊貿易協定談判，並於《臺灣關係法》45週年之際，在社群平台上發表支持強化台美關係的重要言論；克爾帝（Dan Kildee）議員亦經常連署友台決議案並支持台美洽簽貿易協定；艾佛德（Mark Alford）議員則高度關注台海情勢及中國對區域穩定的威脅，並於去（2023）年11月參與聯署致函美國空軍部長肯達爾（Frank Kendall），敦促美國國防部解決延遲交付台灣F-16戰機與地面支援設備的問題。我國朝野對這些友台作為均表感謝。
Vice President Chiang also emphasized the long-standing support of three U.S. congressmen for Taiwan. He noted that Representative Lisa McClain urged the Biden administration to initiate formal bilateral trade negotiations with Taiwan in 2021 and expressed support for strengthening Taiwan-U.S. relations on social media platforms on the 45th anniversary of the TRA. Representative Dan Kildee frequently co-sponsors pro-Taiwan resolutions and supports Taiwan-U.S. trade agreement negotiations. Representative Mark Alford is highly concerned about the situation in the Taiwan Strait and China's threat to regional stability. He signed a letter to U.S. Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall in November 2023, urging the U.S. Department of Defense to address delays in delivering F-16 fighter jets and ground support equipment to Taiwan. Vice President Chiang expressed gratitude from across the political spectrum in Taiwan for these pro-Taiwan efforts.
江副院長繼稱，台美關係近年來在各領域持續深化與交流，除了聯邦政府及國會層面的各項合作，美國各州政府也陸續來台設立辦事處，目前已有21州及1屬地(關島)在台設立辦事處，較3年前數量翻倍。下個（5）月，他將率跨黨派委員前往日內瓦爭取各方支持我國參加世界衛生大會（WHA），屆時期望美國持續支持台灣有意義參與國際組織。江副院長另提及，本月17日至19日召開的「七大工業國集團」（G7）外長會議，再次發布聯合聲明重申台海和平穩定對國際社會安全與繁榮是不可或缺的，同時支持台灣有意義參與國際組織，更是凸顯台海安全與全球繁榮密不可分。
Vice President Chiang further stated that Taiwan-U.S. relations have deepened and expanded in various fields in recent years. In addition to cooperation at the federal government and congressional levels, U.S. state governments have established offices in Taiwan, with 21 states and one territory (Guam) doubling the number of offices in Taiwan compared to three years ago. Next month, he will lead a bipartisan delegation to Geneva to garner support for Taiwan's participation in the World Health Assembly (WHA), hoping for continued U.S. support for Taiwan's meaningful participation in international organizations. Vice President Chiang also mentioned the joint statement issued at the G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting held on May 17-19, which reiterated the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait to international security and prosperity. The meeting also supported Taiwan's meaningful participation in international organizations, highlighting the inseparable link between security in the Taiwan Strait and global prosperity.
麥珂蓮(Lisa McClain)秘書長致詞時首先感謝江副院長及「臺美國會議員聯誼會」副會長及委員撥冗會晤該訪團，這次是由美國眾議院跨黨派組成國會訪團，相當具有意義。台美關係實際上已超越45年，雙邊的合作也逐年不斷提升，未來台美更要在軍事、農業、經濟等領域深化雙邊合作，而台美關係一向受到世界矚目，兩國持續秉持對民主、自由和人權的堅定信念，相信這些共享的核心價值將持續堅實台美雙邊友好關係。麥珂蓮秘書長希望透過此次訪台深入瞭解我國跨黨派所關注的核心議題，並找尋以及創造更多的領域來共同合作。麥秘書長繼介紹克爾帝議員是聯邦眾議院「歲計」委員會成員，艾佛德議員則是聯邦眾議院「軍事」委員會成員，跨黨派的他們將在不同領域並且將盡最大的努力支持台灣以及協助深化台美關係。
In her speech, Secretary Lisa McClain expressed her gratitude to Vice President Chiang, the Vice Chairperson, and members of the LUC for taking the time to meet with the visiting delegation. This visit was conducted by a bipartisan delegation from the United States House of Representatives, which is quite significant. She emphasized that Taiwan-U.S. relations have exceeded 45 years, and bilateral cooperation has continued to grow each year. She highlighted the importance of deepening Taiwan-U.S. cooperation in military, agricultural, and economic fields, noting that the bilateral relationship is closely watched by the world. Both countries should uphold a firm belief in democracy, freedom, and human rights. These shared core values will continue to solidify the bilateral friendship between Taiwan and the United States. Secretary McClain expressed hope that this visit to Taiwan would deepen understanding of the core issues of concern across party lines in Taiwan and identify and create more areas for cooperation. She introduced Representative Dan Kildee as a member of the House Committee on Ways and Means and Representative Mark Alford as a member of the House Committee on Armed Services. As bipartisan representatives, they will make every effort to support Taiwan and assist in deepening Taiwan-U.S. relations in various fields.
雙邊交流時，葛如鈞副會長表示，我國近期很關注科技、數位、AI等議題，科技帶給世界便利的同時，也帶來了風險，盼與美國盟友一起創造並加強運用新興科技，以強化台灣的國防與自衛能力；張啓楷副會長則感謝美國長期共同維護台灣的民主自由，他欣見《美台快速減免雙重課稅法案》（US-Taiwan Expedited Double-Tax Relief Act）已獲包裹納入《2024美國家庭及勞工稅務減免法案》，且於本年1月獲眾議院通過，此法案對持續深化台美經貿投資合作至關重要，希望參議院能早日通過；我國也會及早完成相關法律程序，使台美企業及跨境工作者，獲得減免雙重課稅的待遇；賴惠員委員感謝美國對台灣民主的支持，特別是民主進步黨能從三十多年前由一個小型在野黨茁壯發展成為執政黨，美國的支持是不可或缺的。她也期望未來兩國在各領域能有更多的合作和發展。
During the bilateral exchanges, Vice Chairperson Ko expressed Taiwan's recent focus on issues such as technology, digitalization, and AI. While technology brings convenience to the world, it also brings risks. He hoped to work with U.S. allies to create and enhance the use of emerging technologies to strengthen Taiwan's national defense and self-defense capabilities. Vice Chairperson Chang thanked the United States for its longstanding support in upholding democracy and freedom in Taiwan. He noted that the U.S.-Taiwan Expedited Double-Tax Relief Act was included in the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024 and passed by the House of Representatives in January of this year. This legislation is crucial for deepening Taiwan-U.S. economic and trade investment cooperation, and he hoped that the Senate would pass it soon. Taiwan will also promptly complete the necessary legal procedures to ensure that Taiwanese and American businesses, as well as cross-border workers, are exempt from double taxation. Legislator Lai expressed gratitude for U.S. support for Taiwan's democracy. She emphasized that U.S. support is indispensable for the Democratic Progressive Party to have grown from a small opposition party over 30 years ago to the ruling party today. Looking forward, she hoped for more cooperation and development between the two countries in various fields.
江副院長及三黨團代表另與麥珂蓮議員、克爾帝議員及艾佛德議員就台海穩定及印太區域安全、民主自由、政經發展、軍事國防等議題廣泛交換意見，已從政四十七年的克爾帝議員及首次當選具媒體專業背景的艾佛德議員均表示，樂見台美關係日益密切鞏固，並慨允將持續協助深化雙邊實質友好關係。雙方會晤氣氛熱絡友好，歷約50分鐘，於互贈紀念品及合影後結束，江副院長並預祝訪團成員在今年11月美國聯邦大選中順利成功。
Vice President Chiang and representatives from three party caucuses exchanged views with Secretary Lisa McClain, Representative Dan Kildee, and Representative Mark Alford on issues such as stability in the Taiwan Strait, Indo-Pacific regional security, democracy and freedom, political and economic development, and military and national defense. Representative Dan Kildee, who has been in politics for 47 years, and Representative Mark Alford, who was elected for the first time and comes from a media background, both expressed their joy at seeing Taiwan-U.S. relations increasingly consolidated and pledged to continue to support the deepening of substantive friendly relations between the two sides. The atmosphere of the meeting was warm and friendly, lasting about 50 minutes, and ended with exchanges of commemorative gifts and group photos. Vice President Chiang wished the visiting delegation members success in the November U.S. federal election.
訪問團續由立法院國際事務處同仁安排導覽院區並就國會建築、議事規則等議題進行交流，本次訪團之參訪在輕鬆愉快的氛圍中畫下圓滿的句點。
The delegation was then guided by staff from the Legislative Yuan's International Affairs Department to tour the parliamentary precincts and engage in discussions on parliamentary architecture, rules of procedure, and other issues. The visit concluded in a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere.
備註：訪賓名單
1. 美國聯邦眾議院共和黨黨團會議秘書長麥珂蓮（Lisa McClain）
2. 美國聯邦眾議員克爾帝（Dan Kildee）
3. 美國聯邦眾議員艾佛德（Mark Alford）
4. 麥珂蓮議員之幕僚長賀瓦梅先生（Nick Hawatmeh）
5. 克爾帝議員之幕僚長瑞瓦先生（Mitchell Rivard）
6. 艾佛德議員之立法主任多蘭先生（Tom Dolan）
