LONG-STANDING EFFORTS:The president thanked outgoing AIT Chairman Raymond Burghardt for spending 12 years of his career on furthering Taipei-Washington relations
Taipei Times
Date: Sep 14, 2016
By: Stacy Hsu / Staff reporter
President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) yesterday expressed the hope for deepening Taiwan-US cooperation
President Tsai Ing-wen, right, shakes hands with outgoing American Institute in Taiwan Chairman Raymond Burghardt at the Presidential Office in Taipei yesterday. Photo: CNA
on trade, security and international participation as she acknowledged the achievements of outgoing American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Chairman Raymond Burghardt over the past decade.
Tsai made the remarks during a meeting at the Presidential Office with Burghardt, who is on his 20th and final visit to Taiwan as chairman of the AIT, which represents US interests in Taiwan in the absence of diplomatic ties.
“Last year, during my visit to the US, and this year when I transited at Los Angeles, Ambassador Burghardt accompanied me throughout the entire trip. This not only bears testament to the friendly relations between Taiwan and the US, but also demonstrates Burghardt’s long-standing efforts in promoting relations between the two sides,” Tsai said.
Tsai also conveyed her appreciation to Burghardt for having spent 12 years of his more than 40 years as a diplomat on furthering Taipei-Washington relations, saying Burghardt would always be welcome in Taiwan. [FULL STORY]
