AIT Chair Rosenberger’s Remarks
at Twin Oaks National Day Celebration
Washington, D.C.
October 4, 2023
Representative Hsiao, distinguished guests, friends, good evening. It’s always an honor to be here with you all at the beautiful Twin Oaks, and it’s particularly special to be here tonight celebrating Double Ten. To Representative Hsiao and your team at TECRO, thank you very much for your gracious hospitality, delicious food, and warm welcome, as always.
Double Ten provides an important opportunity to reflect on the growing U.S.-Taiwan friendship, which is built upon the foundation of our shared values, democratic systems, and, of course, an abiding shared interest in maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.
Throughout the past year, it’s safe to say that the U.S.-Taiwan partnership has grown closer than ever.
Updates and Reflection
We’ve made significant strides in our economic partnership: in August, under the auspices of AIT and TECRO, the United States and Taiwan held the second negotiating round of the U.S.-Taiwan Initiative on 21st Century Trade to streamline regulations and pave the way for increased economic opportunities in both markets. We also look forward to welcoming a delegation from Taipei to San Francisco in November when we host APEC, which is an opportunity to highlight Taiwan’s longstanding and ongoing economic contributions to APEC, especially in the areas of resiliency and sustainability, which is this year’s theme.
Hand in hand with our growing economic ties comes the widening range of people-to-people and cultural exchanges, an essential part of our relationship. We have witnessed the expansion of new educational exchanges, U.S. Mandarin language programs, and even STEM cross-border talent cultivation through efforts such as the U.S.-Taiwan Education Initiative and the launch of the inaugural U.S.-Taiwan Science and Technology Cooperation Dialogue last May. And of course, the U.S. commitment to enabling Taiwan to maintain a sufficient self-defense capability has been and will remain rock-solid. In just the past few months, the United States has used tools such as Presidential Drawdown Authority, Foreign Military Financing, and Foreign Military Sales to bolster this effort.
Shared Values
Of course, underlying these policy initiatives are the core tenets and values that underpin the U.S.-Taiwan partnership. Taiwan is a beacon of democracy in the Asia Pacific and the world. Whether it be high-tech development, women’s economic empowerment, or pandemic-preparedness, the world has much to learn from Taiwan.
I don’t want to stand between you and the amazing food here, but one personal note before closing: my trips to Taiwan have been one of my favorite aspects of my role as AIT Chair. I’ve been lucky enough to experience the incredible warmth of people across the island from all walks of life and partake in their rich culture, from Taipei to Kaohsiung to Jiufen. We all share a piece of that type of cultural exchange through tonight’s spectacular event. Thank you again, Representative Hsiao, for hosting us tonight and for the opportunity to celebrate with you.
To the many friends of Taiwan present, I hope you all enjoy the delicious food, and the rest of your evening.