Visiting chair of the American Institute in Taiwan Laura Rosenberger said Taiwan is critical in maintaining peace and stability in a meeting with President Tsai Ing-wen on Wednesday, expressing hope to further deepen ties.
"Taiwan is a valued friend and important trade partner, and is critical in maintaining peace and stability," Rosenberger said on her first trip to the island as the head of the AIT Board of Trustees, after assuming the position on March 20 this year.
AIT represents U.S. interests in Taiwan in the absence of official diplomatic ties. Its headquarters is located in Washington.
"I'm looking forward to meeting with other members of your administration, as well as leaders from Taiwan's business community, civil society, and political parties in order to get a deeper sense of the people and society in your vibrant democracy," Rosenberger said.
Tsai thanked Rosenberger, who previously held the position of senior national security director for China and Taiwan to U.S. President Joe Biden, for accompanying her delegation during transit stops in New York and in Los Angeles for a 10-day overseas trip between March 29 and April 7.
Tsai also expressed gratitude for Biden's administration showing support for Taiwan enhancing its self-defense.
The meeting came after Taiwan's Defense Ministry said on Tuesday that it welcomes the ongoing efforts of the United States to help the island train its troops.
Taiwan's Central News Agency has reported that nearly 200 active duty American military instructors are currently in Taiwan training military personnel.
Taiwan and mainland China have been separately governed since they split due to a civil war in 1949. Beijing views the island as a renegade province to be unified with the mainland.
The United States changed its diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 1979 but has kept up unofficial relations with Taiwan and supplies the island with arms to help it maintain self-defense capabilities.
