TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) Monday (May 20) thanked U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken for congratulating President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) on his inauguration.
In a press release, Blinken congratulated Lai on his inauguration as the fifth democratically-elected president of Taiwan. The foreign ministry responded by expressing “sincere welcome and gratitude to the U.S. government for its prompt congratulations.”
Blinken lauded President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) for bolstering ties between Washington and Taipei over her eight-year tenure. He said the White House looks forward to working with Lai and all Taiwanese political leaders to forward the two countries' “shared interests and values, deepen our longstanding unofficial relationship, and maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.”
Following Blinken's congratulatory message in January for the successful completion of Taiwan's presidential election, “The U.S. Secretary of State once again publicly demonstrates the strong support for Taiwan's freedom and democracy,” said MOFA. It added that this underscores the importance the U.S. places on Taiwan-U.S. relations and reflects the "rock-solid" partnership based on shared values.
The ministry pledged, “As a leader of global peace and a promoter of global prosperity, democratic Taiwan will continue to work hand-in-hand with the United States based on a strong foundation to promote cooperation in various fields and defend peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region."
