Taiwan thanks U.S. for reaffirming bilateral ties
ROC Central News Agency
2017/11/01 15:04:18
Washington, Oct. 31 (CNA) Taiwan's top diplomat in Washington expressed his gratitude to the United States on Tuesday for reaffirming the solid relationship between the two sides on many occasions ahead of U.S. President Donald Trump's trip to China in November.
The U.S. has discussed the trip with Taiwan through multiple channels and publicly praised robust Taiwan-U.S. relations, said Stanley Kao (高碩泰), Taiwan's representative to the United States.
"Taiwan can rest assured," he said, referring to concerns that Trump might compromise U.S. support for Taiwan to secure China's help on other issues.
Noting that bilateral relations between Taiwan and the U.S. involve many areas, Kao said communication and contact channels are open between the two countries.
"There is absolutely no problem" communicating with each other, said Kao after a press conference marking the expansion of U.S. and Taiwan trusted traveler programs -- the U.S. Global Entry program and the Taiwan e-Gate program.
Taiwan passport holders are allowed to join the U.S. Global Entry program starting Nov. 1, while U.S. travelers will be able to use e-Gates for speedy immigration clearance at Taiwan's airports.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection Acting Commissioner Kevin McAleenan, American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Managing Director John Norris, and Laura Stone, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of State under the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, also attended the news conference.
McAleenan said the reciprocal treatment signaled the strength of U.S.-Taiwan partnership ties, while Norris said it reflected the deep and solid relations between the two sides.
(By Rita Cheng and Evelyn Kao)
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