December 18, 2020
No. 300
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) held a reception on December 18 to announce the signing of the Agreement between the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States (TECRO) and the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) on Scientific and Technological Cooperation. The event was hosted by Minister of Foreign Affairs Jaushieh Joseph Wu and attended by Minister of Science and Technology Wu Tsung-tsong, Deputy Minister of Economic Affairs Chen Chern-chyi, and Director of AIT's Taipei Office Brent Christensen.
The Agreement between TECRO and AIT on Scientific and Technological Cooperation is the first concrete outcome of the Taiwan-US Economic Prosperity Partnership Dialogue held on November 20. The fact that it was negotiated and signed within one month of the dialogue shows the seamless cooperation and strong partnership between Taiwan and the US. It is expected to facilitate further collaboration and exchange between the two sides in the field of science and technology.
The new agreement was signed in Washington, DC, on December 15 by Representative of TECRO Hsiao Bi-khim and Managing Director of AIT's Washington Office Ingrid Larson. Officials from both sides witnessed the signing via videoconference. Witnesses in Taipei included Minister of Foreign Affairs Wu, Minister of Science and Technology Wu, Deputy Minister of Economic Affairs Chen, and AIT/T Director Christensen. Witnesses in Washington, DC, included US Undersecretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment Keith Krach, Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs David Stilwell, Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs Jonathan Moore, and Science and Technology Advisor to the Secretary of State Mung Chiang.
With relations continuing to grow even closer, Taiwan and the US have established a number of new cooperation and dialogue mechanisms in recent months. Covering a broad spectrum of diverse issues, these have included the Economic Prosperity Partnership Dialogue, the Framework to Strengthen Infrastructure Finance and Market Building Cooperation, the Taiwan-US Education Initiative, and cooperation under the Women's Livelihood Bond project. MOFA will continue to collaborate with related government agencies in Taiwan, building upon the existing solid foundation to further strengthen the comprehensive partnership between Taiwan and the US. (E)