Taiwan’s Representative in America Changes Self-Description in Twitter Bio to “Ambassador to US”, Says It Is Not Official but “What Many Call Me”

The Taiwanese representative in the US Hsiao Bi-khim has changed her self-description to “Taiwan Ambassador to the US” in her Twitter bio after a number of members of the US Congress called for stronger ties between America and Taiwan. In a tweet posted on 21 September, Hsiao explained “Taiwan Ambassador” is what many call her and describe her job, adding that her title remains “Representative, Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office” when interacting with the US administration.

Having no diplomatic relations with the US, Taiwan does not have an embassy in America. Hsiao, therefore, holds the title of “Representative, Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office”. Commenting on Hsiao’s new bio, Taiwan’s president Tsai Ing-Wen said “Bi-khim has always shown exceptional enthusiasm and industriousness”, adding that no matter what her title is, she will make every effort to engage with different parties in America for the interest of Taiwan.

Before going on to explain that the new description is what many call her and describes her work and that her title has not changed, she apologized for having “disappointed so many supporters” in her tweet. The new description remains in her bio.

Source: Stand News #Sep21

#Taiwan #US #Diplomacy #Twitter #BikhimHsiao #TsaiIngwen

https://bit.ly/3kNdM6P

#DoubleTen #TsaiIngWen
#Taiwan President on Taiwan's National Day: The Year 2020 is a "Generational Opportunity" and a "Chance to determine own Future"

Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen delivered her speech celebrating the National Day of the Republic of China (#ROC) on Oct 10, 2020.

Tsai emphasized that Taiwan was one of the few countries in the world that maintained positive economic growth despite the coronavirus pandemic.

Tsai raised concern over Hong Kong's National Security Law and pointed out that "it is clear that democracy, peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific are currently facing serious challenges".

While Taiwan-US economic cooperation is expected to be deepened, Tsai said Taiwan-China dialogue would be possible "as long as the Beijing authorities are willing to resolve antagonisms and improve cross-strait relations, while parity and dignity are maintained".

Tsai ended her speech by the following remark:

“Let's wish that 20 years from now, when Taiwanese look back on 2020, they will remember this as the year we grasped a generational opportunity, bravely forging ahead in rapidly changing times to overcome challenges and throw off our shackles, giving them a chance to determine their own future."

Read the full script:
https://english.president.gov.tw/News/6051

Source: President's Office, Taiwan
Image: Stand News #Oct10

PLA Performs Military Drill at the Taiwan Strait in Response to U.S. Under Secretary of State Krach’s Visit to Taiwan. Office of the President of Taiwan Says China’s Provocations Will Not Improve Its International Image

The U.S. Under Secretary of State Keith Krach, who is responsible for economic affairs, continued his visit in Taiwan today (Sep 18). His schedule was not disclosed, but Taiwan's Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Jaushieh Joseph Wu, Vice Premier of the Executive Yuan Shen Jong-Chin, and Minister of Economic Affairs Wang Mei-Hua arrived at the hotel where the U.S. delegation was staying this morning. They met behind closed doors with Krach and Ian Steff, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Global Markets, to discuss economic cooperation between Taiwan and the U.S. and other issues. Krach was to attend a dinner at Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen’s residence in the evening as well.

China responded with military action as the Ministry of National Defense announced this morning that the PLA Eastern Theater Command would organize a “scenario-based” military drills near the Taiwan Strait. 18 Chinese jets flew over the mid-line of the Taiwan Strait today and entered the airspace southwest of Taiwan. The Taiwan Air Force took off in emergency and sent air patrols in response. The office of the President of Taiwan responded that China's provocations would not help improve its international image and called on China to exercise self-restraint.

Source: Stand News #Sep18

#ChinaThreat #China #PLA #MilitaryDrill #USTaiwanRelation #Taiwan #TsaiIngwen #Krach #KeithKrach #Steff #IanSteff #TaiwanStrait

https://bit.ly/2SOwrDf

National Security Conference in Taiwan, Tsai Ing-Wen: Continuing Efforts in Garnering Bipartisan Support, Regardless of Election Results

On 31 Oct, 2020, president Tsai Ing-Wen of Taiwan attended National Security Conference. According to spokesperson of the presidential office, Chang Tun-Han, the president had given instructions on issues regarding military threats, the stability of cross-strait relations, and development of Taiwan-US relations. Taiwan will continue to strengthen its relationship with either party, the prime goal of Taiwan-US relations being facilitating bipartisan support to Taiwan. She believes Taiwan and US would continue to consolidate their existing relationships, and the fundamental basis of the relationship is not subjected to any changes.

Chang stated that the Taiwan-US relations have achieved substantial progresses, including the passing of Taiwan-friendly bills such as Taiwan Travel Act, TAIPEI Act and allowing higher ranking officials visits to Taiwan. He continued to emphasise that Taiwan-US relations is amongst the top priorities of Taiwan’s diplomatic relations. Chang also specified that President Tsai has instructed the Foreign Affairs, National Security Council and representatives at US, about fostering diplomatic ties with the US. This includes garnering support from US government and congress, firmly implementing key policies and proactively enforcing prioritised projects in coming months.

President Tsai stated that, by holding onto and defending the values of democracy and freedom: will deepen and consolidate Taiwan-US relations would protect the security and stability of the region. She reiterated and reassured that the Taiwanese government is confident in and capable of responding to any situation.

#Taiwan #TsaiIngWen #USTaiwanRelations #DonaldTrump #JoeBiden #USElection #CrossStraitRelations

Source: Stand News #Oct31

In New Year's speech, Taiwan president again reaches out to China

In the New Year’s speech, President Tsai Ing-wen said that Taiwan was ready to have “meaningful” talks with China given that China was willing to put aside confrontation.

Taiwan, claimed by China as its sovereign territory, has come under increasing pressure from Beijing

China said ramping up military activity near the island responded to “collusion” between Washington and Taipei. Beijing views this a precursor to Taiwan declaring formal independence, a red line for China.

China, which stopped a formal talks mechanism in 2016 since Tsai won office, repeatedly rejected Tsai’s advances unless she accepts Taiwan is part of China, something Tsai has refused to do.

Source: Reuters #Jan01

https://www.reuters.com/article/newyear-taiwan/in-new-years-speech-taiwan-president-again-reaches-out-to-china-idUKKBN2961YH?edition-redirect=uk

#Taiwan #TsaiIngWen #China

The Canadian House of Commons approved forum awards to Tsai Ing-wen; Trudeau denied that he had pressured to withdraw the sponsorship

House of Representatives of Canada unanimously pass a motion on Wednesday (14April), which support Halifax International Security Forum award John McCain Prize for Leadership in Public Service to Tsai Ing-wen.

The Conservative Party member Michael Chong who initiated discussion, described “President Tsai Ing-wen is a well-respected international leader, female president of Taiwan and a strong global advocate for democracy”. The non-binding motion the award to Tsai Ing-wen, it also calls on the Canada government to maintains its funding on the forum. Canada is the main funding source of the forum.

It was reported earlier that Canada opposed the award to Tsai Ing-wen, in fear of angering Beijing. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has faced questions from members of House of Commons in the past few days, he responded to Michael Chong and replies, “the government has supported and provided funding to the Halifax Security Forum throughout our time in office, and the minister has participated every year and will continue to”. He continued by saying that he always supported Taiwan's “meaningful participation in multilateral international forums”, and continues to have strong and growing trade relations with Taiwan.

Source: Stand News #Apr15

https://bit.ly/3dQyguW

#Canada #Beijing #Taiwan #Trudeau #TsaiIngWen #MichaelChong #HalifaxInternationalSecurityForum #JohnMcCainPrizeForLeadershipInPublicService #Democracy

Japan donates another 1.13 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccine to Taiwan
Tsai Ing-wen thanks: A vaccine of friendship

Japan Minister of Foreign Affairs Toshimitsu Motegi announced this morning (6 July) that Japan will provide an additional 1.13 million doses of AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine to Taiwan on Thursday (8 July). This is the second batch of vaccines offered, following 1.24 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccine provided to Taiwan last month at no cost. Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen thanked Japan for the donating the vaccine, supporting Taiwan in a prevention effort to fight against the disease, and described it as a "friendship vaccines".

According to Toshimitsu Motegi, Japan received promptly support from Taiwan after the Great East Japan Earthquake on 11 March 2011. Mutual support and assistance have been under way in various fields such as humanitarian and interpersonal exchanges. As Taiwan needs assistance, Japan will lend a helping hand. Japan is very pleased to be the first to provide Taiwan vaccine assistance.

Source: Stand News #Jul06

https://bit.ly/3iJ8z1J

#Taiwan #Japan #TsaiIngwen #TaiwanPresident #ToshimitsuMotegi #JapaneseForeignMinister #TaiwaneseJapaneseRelation #COVID19vaccine #AstraZeneca

#Taiwan's president says the island will keep bolstering its defenses. #TsaiIngWen says they will ensure that nobody can force them to accept the path #China has laid down—which offers neither freedom nor democracy.

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Taiwanese President #TsaiIngwen has just confirmed that #UStroops are in #Taiwan. She also says she's confident that the United States would defend the self-ruled island if China attacks.

🔶 Watch the full episode👉https://youtu.be/s0SzgK_Q6eI

Taiwanese President #TsaiIngwen has just confirmed that #UStroops are in #Taiwan. She also says she's confident that the United States would defend the self-ruled island if China attacks.

🔶 Watch the full episode👉https://youtu.be/s0SzgK_Q6eI

PRC’s Taiwan Affairs Office accused Tsai Ing-wen for spreading Taiwan Independence; Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council: Defaming Taiwan’s Democracy

On 28 October 2021, the Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) of the State Council responded to the CNN interview of Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen, accusing her and the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) of spreading “Taiwan Independence” on various international arenas, once again exposing their stubborn attempts on “Taiwan Independence”. Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council responded with a stern statement, saying that TAO is inciting confrontation by maliciously twisting the facts and defaming Taiwan’s freedom and democratic development.

The spokesperson of TAO Ma Xiaoguang criticized Tsai and DPP stubbornly promoting "Taiwan Independence”, deceiving international public opinion and covering “Taiwan Independence” under “Democracy and Freedom”. He further said ever since the DPP came to power, their incompetence in governance caused grievances among the general public, creating conflicts among ethics groups, deceiving the public and dividing Taiwan society, severely dividing the bloodline connection between Taiwanese, Chinese culture and Chinese, “seriously harming” the fundamental interest of all Taiwanese.

Source: Stand News #Oct29

https://bit.ly/3pDtIwC

#mainland #taiwan #tsaiingwen #Diplomacy #TaiwanAffairsOffice #MainlandAffairsCouncil #MaXiaoguang #TaiwanIndependence

American Institute in Taiwan: Deep Concern on China Damaging Taiwan Strait's Stability

#SandraOudkirk, Director of the American Institute in Taiwan, hosted her first press conference in #Taiwan on Oct 29.

She indicated that the current peace and stability around the #IndoPacific region and the #TaiwanStrait align with the interest of the #US. But she expressed deep concern about #China's act of destabilising the Taiwan Strait. Therefore, the US will work hard to help Taiwan in maintaining sufficient self-defence capabilities.

Oudkirk did not comment on #TsaiIngwen's first confirmation on the #USmilitary training in Taiwan but reiterated that the US's support to Taiwan is rock-solid. She also did not respond on whether to increase the amount of United States Marine Corps at the #AmericanInstituteinTaiwan.

She did not make a remark on the staff number of the institute and their original groups, only saying that the organisation team is outstanding.

Source: Stand News #Oct29
https://bit.ly/3oM8nlh

#ChinaTaiwan #CrossStrait #ChinaUS

Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen urges Beijing not to misjudge the situation in New Year speech

In Taipei, President Tsai Ing-wen delivered a New Year's speech in which she reiterated her concern about the situation in Hong Kong and stressed that the military was not an option for resolving cross-strait differences, urging Beijing not to misjudge the situation.

In her 2022 New Year's speech at the presidential palace, Tsai Ing-wen set out the four main plans for her administration this year, including continuation on global engagement, maintaining the economic momentum, strengthening the social security network, and safeguarding Taiwan's sovereignty.

She said that the interference in the election of the Hong Kong Legislative Council and the arrest of media personnel had raised concerns about human rights and freedom of speech in Hong Kong.

"The pursuit of democracy and freedom is not a crime, and Taiwan's position in support of Hong Kong will not change. Aside from showing our concern, we will cherish our own hard-earned freedom and democracy even more deeply", Tsai said.

Source: Now News #Jan01

https://news.now.com/home/international/player?newsId=461848&refer=Share

#Taiwan #TsaiIngWen #LegislativeCouncil #Election #TheStandNews #Arrest #PressFreedom

[Translator note: Some wordings are following the report from Focus Taiwan, a CNA English News agency]

#ProtestFilm #Interview
#KiwiChow, Director of #RevolutionOfOurTimes: "This film is for everyone"

Directed by Hong Kong director Kiwi Chow, "Revolution Of Our Times" is an award-winning documentary capturing the pro-democracy demonstrations that erupted in Hong Kong in 2019.

Just within the 14 days of its release in Taiwan, the film has set a box office record for an overseas Chinese-language documentary.

Even #TsaiIngWen, the president of Taiwan, watched it and endorsed the film.

Taking to Twitter, President Tsai stated, 'Hong Kong people's courage and commitment to democracy are an inspiration to us all, as we work to preserve our own freedoms and way of life.'

In an interview, director #KiwiChow thanked Tsai Ing-wen for supporting the documentary openly on social media and calling on people across the political spectrum to watch it.

#RevolutionOfOurTimes #NeverForget #HongKongFilm #Taiwan

Source: PSHK
https://fb.watch/bP5U8NMXmv/

Pompeo Awarded Medal in Visit to Taiwan, Beijing Cries “Shameless and Futile”

Former #US state secretary #MikePompeo was received by President #TsaiIngwen at her office on 3 March during his visit to #Taiwan.

In her meeting with the visitors, who came wearing a mask emblazoned with US and Taiwan flags, and Chinese words ‘firm as a rock’, Tsai thanked Pompeo on behalf of the Taiwan people for his contribution to multiple breakthroughs in #TaiwanUSRelations and supported Taiwan’s participation in the international community during his tenure as the US secretary of state. She also awarded him the Order of the Brilliant Star with Grand Cordon, Taiwan's top honours, for his efforts to elevate Taiwan-US relations, which includes lifting US restrictions on official interactions with Taiwan, regularising arms sales to Taiwan, and raising the level of mutual visits by senior officials between Taiwan and the US.

In #Beijing, spokesperson for the foreign ministry #WangWenbin called Pompeo’s visit “shameless” and “futile”.

Source: Hong Kong Economic Journal #Mar04

https://bit.ly/3CnfxS9

In a meeting with President #TsaiIngWen, Sen. Lindsey Graham sent a strong and clear message of support for #Taiwan from the #BidenAdministration.

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For the third time in a month, a high-level U.S. politician is visiting #Taiwan: #Indiana's governor met with Taiwan President #TsaiIngWen.

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#Guatemala's foreign minister met with Taiwanese President #TsaiIngwen. The Central American country has expressed its support for the island's sovereignty.

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