PR-2142
August 27, 2021
AIT Director Sandra Oudkirk’s August 23-27 Meetings with Taiwan Officials
American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Director Sandra Oudkirk continued to have introductory meetings with Taiwan counterparts this week to exchange views on a wide range of issues of importance to both the United States and Taiwan.
On August 23, Director Oudkirk met with Minister without Portfolio John Chen-chung Deng to discuss the U.S.-Taiwan economic and commercial relationship and the Economic Prosperity Partnership Dialogue (EPPD). This was followed by Director Oudkirk’s meeting with Minister of Economic Affairs Wang Mei-hua where they shared views on progress achieved through the EPPD, U.S.-Taiwan supply chain cooperation, energy security, and our joint work on the Academy of Women Entrepreneurs. Director Oudkirk and National Development Council Minister Dr. Kung Ming-hsin met on August 24 and talked about Taiwan’s new development policy and strategy, semiconductor supply chain security, the U.S.-Taiwan Digital Economy Forum, and industrial cooperation. On August 25, she met with Minister of National Defense Chiu Kuo-cheng to discuss issues of mutual interest. This was followed by Director Oudkirk’s meeting with Vice Premier Shen Jong-chin, where she thanked him for his leadership in significantly boosting facemask production, enabling Taiwan to donate facemasks to many countries including the United States. Director Oudkirk concluded this week’s courtesy calls by meeting Minister of Education Pan Wen-chung on August 27 to discuss the U.S.-Taiwan Education Initiative, the Fulbright Program in Taiwan, and Taiwan’s priorities in the education sector.
During these meetings, Director Oudkirk reiterated her commitment to advancing and deepening the U.S.-Taiwan partnership, stressed the common democratic and economic values that the United States and Taiwan share, and emphasized the United States’ enduring commitment to Taiwan.