Potential US envoy to Marshall Islands vows to strengthen relations between Taiwan and its Pacific ally
Taiwan News
Date: 2019/10/30
By: Ching-Tse Cheng, Taiwan News, Staff Writer
TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Roxanne Cabral, the nominee for U.S. ambassador to the Marshall
Roxanne Cabral at the ambassador nomination hearing. (CNA photo)
Roxanne Cabral at the ambassador nomination hearing. (CNA photo)
During her Senate nomination hearing, Cabral emphasized that the Marshall Islands is an important diplomatic partner of Taiwan and serves a critical role in stabilizing Taiwan-China relations. She also pledged to help the U.S. improve its partnership with the Marshall Islands once her nomination is confirmed.
Senators Cory Gardner (R-CO), Mitt Romney (R-UT), and Todd Young (R-IN) expressed their concern for Taiwan's diplomatic situation after it recently lost two Pacific allies: the Solomon Islands and Kiribati. When asked about practical ways to prevent Taiwan from losing another Pacific ally, Cabral remarked that Marshallese President Hilda Heine just visited Taiwan last week and that the friendship between the two countries remains stable, reported UDN.
Cabral added that China has no real "allies," only countries that give in to its economic threats. She said she believes the U.S. has more to offer with the help of tools such as the Asia Reassurance Initiative Act. [FULL STORY]
