2022-03-01
U.S. President Biden Appoints Senior Bipartisan Delegation to Visit Taiwan
DPP Spokesperson Peifen Hsieh welcomed U.S. President Joseph Biden's appointment of a senior bipartisan delegation to visit Taiwan. Following news of the appointment, the Spokesperson also expressed her gratitude for U.S. support of Taiwan. In the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and amid resulting international tension, the delegation represents U.S. commitment to peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.
Members of the delegation feature a range of work experience, party affiliation, and expertise. Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Michael Glenn Mullen, who worked for the W. Bush and Obama administrations, leads the delegation. The delegation also includes former advisors for the W. Bush administration, such as Special Assistant to the President and Deputy National Security Advisor for Iraq and Afghanistan Meghan L. O'Sullivan and Special Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs and Senior Director for Asian Affairs at the National Security Council (NSC) Michael Green. In addition, former cabinet members during the Obama administration, including Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Michèle A. Flournoy and Special Assistant to the President and NSC Senior Director for Asian Affairs Evan S. Medeiros, also join the delegation. Among the delegates, former advisors Michèle Flournoy, Michael Green, and Evan Medeiros have previously visited Taiwan and exhibited an extensive understanding of the country. The experience of delegation members illustrates President Biden's emphasis on Indo-Pacific affairs and delegation members' shared support for Taiwan.
In April 2021, President Biden dispatched former U.S. Senator Christopher Dodd, D-CT, to visit Taiwan. The former Senator's visit, as well as this most recent visit, underscores the strength of Taiwan-U.S. ties and the future collaboration between the two countries.
Meanwhile, Spokesperson Hsieh noticed certain politicians and media outlets in Taiwan had exploited the Russian invasion of Ukraine to generate domestic panic. They create false comparisons between Ukraine and Taiwan and propagate disinformation from China. Such smears attempt to discredit Taiwan's international allies. Therefore, Spokesperson Hsieh underscored that the visit of this bipartisan delegation exemplifies U.S. support for Taiwan and the enduring quality of Taiwan-U.S. friendship. The DPP is grateful for its U.S. allies. It will also continue to further Taiwan-U.S. collaboration and preserve peace and security in the region.
