August 11, 2018
AIT Press Release #: PR-1824
Mr. William Brent Christensen, the new Director of the American Institute in Taiwan’s Taipei office, arrived in Taipei on August 11, 2018. He is very happy to be back in Taiwan, and looks forward to continuing to develop the many areas of U.S.-Taiwan cooperation.
Mr. Christensen has been in the United States Foreign Service for more than 29 years and has extensive experience in senior positions related to Taiwan and China. Mr. Christensen previously served as Deputy Director of the American Institute in Taiwan’s Taipei office. Prior to that, he was Director of the State Department’s Office of Taiwan Coordination, where he had a primary role in formulating U.S. policy toward Taiwan. He has served three assignments at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing, the most recent being Environment, Science, Technology and Health Counselor.
Mr. Christensen has also served as a Senior Level Career Development Advisor in the State Department’s Human Resources Bureau. Prior to that assignment, he served as the Foreign Policy Advisor at the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies (APCSS). Other overseas postings include Hong Kong and South Africa. Mr. Christensen also served as a Congressional Fellow on the staff of Senator Olympia Snowe. Prior to joining the Foreign Service, he was a captain in the U.S. Air Force.
Mr. Christensen is a career member of the Senior Foreign Service and holds the personal rank of Minister-Counselor. Mr. Christensen earned an M.A. in East Asian Studies from the George Washington University, a B.A. in Chinese language and literature from Brigham Young University, and a Doctor of Medical Dentistry degree from the Oregon Health and Sciences University. Mr. Christensen is married to Brenda Barrus Christensen and has three children. He is a native of Provo, Utah.
