Vice President Lai Ching-te (???) and the United States representative to Taiwan Sandra Oudkirk on Thursday emphasized both countries’ support for Ukraine amid Russia’s invasion in their respective addresses at a belated July 4 reception in Taipei.
It was the first in-person U.S. independence day celebration since the COVID-19 pandemic started in early 2020.
At the event to mark the 246th U.S. Independence Day hosted by the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), Director Oudkirk noted that it was the first time in three years AIT has been able to commemorate the holiday in person and her first independence day since becoming director in July 2021.
AIT represents U.S. interests in Taiwan in the absence of official diplomatic ties.
Oudkirk said over the past year, the U.S. and Taiwan’s “enduring partnership” has continued to help both sides face pressing global challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine.
As world leaders united to impose costs on Russia and Belarus over the invasion, the AIT director praised Taiwan for joining the U.S. and 30-plus global partners in imposing sanctions on the two countries.
Taiwan also raised over US$30 million and donated 350 tons of supplies to support Ukrainian refugees, she added.
“Democracies across the world must work together to defend our freedoms and build a more free and peaceful world,” she said.
Meanwhile, attending the reception on behalf of Taiwan’s government, Lai said the nation’s relations with the U.S. are the best they have ever been.
The vice president thanked Washington for its decades-long “rock-solid” support of Taiwan’s ability to defend itself and expanding Taiwan’s international space amid Chinese coercion.
The two sides launched the “U.S.-Taiwan Initiative on 21st Century Trade” in June to further enhance economic and trade collaboration, he added.
In recent months the world has faced numerous challenges, particularly with the Russian invasion of Ukraine in late February, which Lai described as part of “an expansion of authoritarian regimes in an attempt to change the rules-based world order of freedom and democracy.”
“As a member of the international democratic camp, Taiwan knows its role and will keep working with democratic partners, such as the U.S. and other like-minded countries, to ensure peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region,” he said.
Taiwan and the U.S. are standing even closer in such challenging times, he said, adding that he wanted to conclude his remark by offering up prayers for the U.S., Taiwan, and most importantly the Ukrainian people who are suffering most from the Russian invasion.
“God bless the United States of American, god bless Taiwan, god bless Ukraine,” he said.
Thursday’s reception was also attended by Foreign Minister Joseph Wu (???), and senior government officials as well foreign representatives and ambassadors in Taiwan.
Former Health Minister Chen Shih-chung (???), who is representing the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in the year-end Taipei mayoral race, and Eric Chu (???), chair of the main opposition Kuomintang (KMT), also attended the reception.
Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel