For Immediate Release
Washington D.C. – May 24, 2018
Contact: (202) 547-3686
U.S. CONGRESSMAN URGES NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR JOHN BOLTON TO TRAVEL TO TAIWAN FOR OPENING OF NEW U.S. EMBASSY BUILDING IN JUNE
In a move to showcase the newly enacted Taiwan Travel Act, Rep. Steve Chabot (R-OH) urged National Security Adviser John Bolton to attend the opening of the new American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) building in Taipei on June 12, 2018.
Congressman Chabot is a long-time supporter of Taiwan. He is a founding chairman of the Congressional Taiwan Caucus, former chairman of the House Asian Subcommittee and initiator of the Taiwan Travel Act that was signed into law by President Trump on March 16.
The Congressman writes: “On June 12, 2018, the American Institute in Taiwan is scheduled to open a new building in Taipei. This new complex will assist in the consolidation of operations that are currently scattered among several sites. The new and modern building complex, that underwent construction beginning in 2009, will reflect the important critical and multi-dimensional relationship between the United States and our longtime friend and democratic ally Taiwan.”
The Congressman concludes: “In light of the ever-growing Taiwan-U.S. relations, I respectfully encourage you, Ambassador Bolton, to attend the opening of the American Institute in Taiwan’s new complex in Taipei next month.
FAPA President Mike Kuo states: “During the previous three administrations the United States Trade Representative, the Secretary of Transportation and the chief of the Environmental Protection Agency visited Taiwan. In light of the enactment into law of the Taiwan Travel Act this past March, it now behooves the United States to send a Cabinet official to Taiwan who personifies the continuously burgeoning relationship between the two countries. Long-time friend and outspoken supporter of Taiwan -National Security Adviser John Bolton- is the perfect candidate for such an important mission.”
The Taiwan Travel Act was introduced by Reps. Ed Royce, Brad Sherman, and Steve Chabot in the House of Representatives in January 2017 and by Senators Marc Rubio, Sherrod Brown, Cory Gardner, James Inhofe, Robert Menendez, and Gary Peters in May 2017. The legislation encourages visits between the United States and Taiwan at all levels, including the president. It was signed into law by President Trump on March 16, 2018.
有鑑於台灣旅行法，美國眾議員敦促國安顧問約翰波頓參加6月美國在台協會新大樓開幕慶祝活動
為了展現美國新生效的台灣旅行法，夏波眾議員(Steve Chabot，R-OH)特地致函敦促國家安全顧問約翰波頓來台參加2018年6月12日美國在台協會台北新大樓開幕慶祝活動。
夏波眾議員長久以來堅定支持台灣，他是國會台灣連線的創始主席，前亞太小組主席以及今年3月16日方交由川普總統簽署的台灣旅行法的發起人。
夏波議員給波頓的信函裡提到：「美國在台協會即將於2018年6月12日在台北的新據點開幕，將之前遍布台北市區內不同地方的據點集合一地。這棟嶄新的現代化建築自2009年起動工，將反應出我們和長期的民主盟友- 台灣的多層面以及關鍵性關係。
夏波議員信末總結道：「有鑑於我們與台灣持續性强化的關係，我誠摯鼓勵波頓大使下個月親自到台北參加美國在台協會新大樓開幕盛會。」
FAPA會長郭正光表示：「前三任的美國行政部門任內，美國貿易代表、交通部部長和環保局局長皆曾參訪過台灣。有鑑於今年三月通過的台灣旅行法，現在正是美國應該讓內閣官員來台灣的時候，尤其能彰顯台美兩國多年以來的友好發展。而身為台灣的老朋友且多次為台灣發聲的支持者-國家安全顧問約翰波頓先生-則是擔任本重要任務的不二人選。」
台灣旅行法在美國眾議院由外交委員會主席羅伊斯議員，薛爾曼議員及夏波議員於2017年1月共同提出。在參議院則是由參議員魯比奧，參議員布朗，參議員賈德納，參議員殷荷菲，參議員梅南德茲，與參議員彼德斯共同提出。法案目的在鼓勵台美兩國各層級官員，包括內閣層級的國家安全官員。川普總統於2018年3月16日簽署成效。
Rep. Chabot’s Letter
The Hon. John Bolton May 23, 2018
National Security Adviser
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW,
Washington, DC 20500Dear Ambassador Bolton:
On January 13, 2017, I introduced the Taiwan Travel Act together with Chairman Ed Royce and Representative Brad Sherman. It was introduced in the Senate by Senators Marco Rubio, Sherrod Brown, Cory Gardner, James Inhofe, Robert Menendez and Gary Peters. It passed both the House and the Senate unanimously and was signed into law by the President on March 16.
The Act states that Congress finds that: “Since the enactment of the Taiwan Relations Act, relations between the United States and Taiwan have suffered from a lack of communication due to the self-imposed restrictions that the United States maintains on high-level visits with Taiwan.” It concludes that: “the United States Government should encourage visits between the United States and Taiwan at all levels.”
On June 12, 2018, the American Institute in Taiwan is scheduled to open a new building in Taipei. This new complex will assist in the consolidation of operations that are currently scattered among several sites. The new and modern building complex, that underwent construction beginning in 2009, will reflect the important critical and multi-dimensional relationship between the United States and our longtime friend and democratic ally Taiwan.
Former administrations, including the first Bush administration, the Clinton administration and the Obama administration have dispatched cabinet officials to Taiwan. A previous United States Trade Representative, Secretary of Transportation and Environmental Protection Agency Administrator have made stops in Taipei. These high-level exchanges are fundamental tenants of strong diplomatic relations.
In light of the ever-growing Taiwan-U.S. relations, I respectfully encourage you, Ambassador Bolton, to attend the opening of the American Institute in Taiwan’s new complex in Taipei next month.
I appreciate your consideration of my request and I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely yours,
STEVE CHABOT
Member of Congress
