Taiwan thanks U.S. for signing Asia Reassurance Initiative Act into law

TAIPEI - Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has responded to the signing into law by U.S. President Trump of the Asia Reassurance Initiative Act of 2018 by saying the friendship and support extended to Taiwan by the executive and legislative branches of the U.S. is "sincerely appreciated by the Government and people".

Passed on December 4 and December 12 respectively by the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives, the law serves as a framework to improve U.S. leadership in the region and to demonstrate U.S. commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific and rules-based international order, the Ministry said.
 
In a dedicated section on Taiwan, the Act states that it is the policy of the U.S. to support the close economic, political and security relationship between the two sides and to faithfully enforce all existing commitments consistent with the Taiwan Relations Act and Six Assurances.
 
The law urges the U.S. President to conduct regular transfers of defence articles and to encourage visits by high-level officials in accordance with the Taiwan Travel Act. It also recognises the value of engagement between Taiwan and ASEAN member States, the Ministry said.
 
MOFA said signing of the Bill was particularly significant because 2019 marked the 40th anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA). Taiwan would continue to expand co-operation across the board and at all levels with the U.S. under the principles of mutual trust and mutual benefits, it added.
 
The Office of Taiwan's President, Tsai Ing-wen, also released a statement expressing gratitude to the U.S. President for signing the Act into law.

"The ARIA reiterates the U.S. commitment to Taiwan's security, affirms the importance of the partnership between the two sides, and stands as a robust symbol of their shared values of democracy, freedom and human rights," the Office said.
 
"As a responsible member of the international community, Taiwan will continue working hand in hand with the U.S. and other like-minded nations to promote peace, prosperity, stability and development in the Indo-Pacific." www.mofa.gov.tw (ATI).