August 5, 2020
No. 165
US Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar II will lead a delegation to visit Taiwan in the following days. During his stay, Dr. Azar will call on President Tsai Ing-wen and meet with Minister of Foreign Affairs Jaushieh Joseph Wu, as well as Minister of Health and Welfare Chen Shih-chung. Dr. Azar is also scheduled to visit the Central Epidemic Command Center, and take part in a discussion with medical experts, in order to strengthen the ties of medical cooperation between Taiwan and the US.
Dr. Azar has long been an unwavering friend of Taiwan who, since taking office, has firmly supported Taiwan’s inclusion in the World Health Organization and related events. He has taken concrete actions in the World Health Assembly and other international meetings to show support for Taiwan’s participation in global public health affairs. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Azar commended on multiple occasions the success of the Taiwan Model and publicly recognized Taiwan’s contribution to global antipandemic efforts. MOFA extends heartfelt gratitude for his support.
Mr. Azar’s visit marks the first visit to Taiwan by a US Cabinet official since 2014. Mr. Azar is also the highest ranking member of cabinet to visit Taiwan since 1979. The visit bears testament to the solid mutual trust and smooth communication between Taiwan and the US. It also highlights the staunch US support for Taiwan and the close partnership the two nations share. Our two governments will continue to steadily enhance such cooperative partnership on a global level so as to safeguard the shared values of democracy, freedom and human rights. (E)