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Taiwan-U.S. relations in good shape: Ma

ROC Central News Agency

2010/05/13 17:56:45

By Garfie Li and Y.L. Kao

Taipei, May 13 (CNA) Relations between Taiwan and the United States are in good shape, President Ma Ying-jeou told members of the New York-based National Committee on American Foreign Policy at the Presidential Office Thursday.

He said U.S. arms sales to Taiwan were evidence military cooperation between the two countries entered a new phase over the past year.

The president also said issues related to Taiwan's lifting of a ban on imports of some kinds of U.S. beef late last year posted a test to Taiwan-U.S. relations. After damage control, however, the impact on bilateral ties was minimized and imports of U.S. bone-in beef have exceeded 12,000 metric tons since January, he said.

All of these demonstrated mutual trust between the countries, Ma said.

He noted that Department of Health Minister Yaung Chih-liang will attend the World Health Assembly (WHA) slated for May 17-21 in Geneva, marking the second year Taiwan has been invited to attend the conference.

Describing Taiwan's participation at the WHA as of great importance, Ma said that with its participation last year, Taiwan was able to obtain vaccine strains for the production of the influenza A (H1N1) vaccines.

Taiwan is willing to share the vaccines with countries that need it, he said, adding that Taiwan's participation at the meeting will not only benefit the country, but the rest of the world as well.