THREE YEARS: Brent Christensen said that he would focus on security cooperation, economics, people-to-people contacts and Taiwan’s international participation
Taipei Times
Date: Nov 01, 2018
By: Stacy Hsu / Staff reporter
American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Director Brent Christensen yesterday outlined his top
American Institute in Taiwan Director Brent Christensen yesterday speaks at a news conference in Taipei. Photo: George Tsorng, Taipei Times
priorities for his tenure as he pledged to build a bright future for Taiwan-US relations.
At his first news conference since taking up the position on Aug. 11, Christensen listed security cooperation, economic ties, Taiwan’s international participation and people-to-people contacts as the areas he would work to promote.
“As you have heard, the US recently approved the second arms sale to Taiwan in two years of US$330 million. Our obligation to support Taiwan in maintaining a sufficient self-defense capability against coercion is a foundational element of the Taiwan Relations Act,” Christensen said.
The policy of supporting Taiwan’s defense needs has been consistent across seven US administrations, helping foster Taiwan’s prosperity and democratic development, while bolstering cross-strait and regional stability, he said. [FULL STORY]
