TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The American Institute in Taiwan on Thursday marked the 46th anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act, which was enacted on April 10, 1979.

“The TRA affirmed the strategic importance of Taiwan and enshrined the United States’ longstanding commitment to ensuring peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region,” AIT said in a Facebook post.

US relations with Taiwan continue to contribute to regional peace, AIT said. It pledged to enhance bilateral ties based on the TRA and demonstrate bipartisan support for the partnership with Taiwan. 

AIT said it was “committed to deepening our cooperation and advancing security, economic, technological and people-to-people collaboration with Taiwan to fulfill the promises of the TRA and contribute to a peaceful, prosperous global community.”

Though the TRA was enacted in April, it came into force retroactively on Jan. 1, 1979, when then-US President Jimmy Carter switched diplomatic recognition from the Republic of China (Taiwan) to the People’s Republic of China.