FAPA Congratulates Marco Rubio on His Confirmation as Secretary of State

For Immediate Release
Washington, D.C. – January 21, 2025
Contact: 202-600-6819

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FAPA Congratulates Marco Rubio on His Confirmation as Secretary of State

The Formosan Association for Public Affairs (FAPA) extends its congratulations to Marco Rubio confirmed unanimously by the U.S. Senate as the 72nd U.S. Secretary of State on January 20, 2025. A resolute supporter of Taiwan and a staunch China hawk, Secretary Rubio is widely recognized and deeply appreciated for his unwavering commitment to strengthening the U.S.-Taiwan partnership, countering China’s aggression toward Taiwan, and promoting Taiwan’s international presence.

On January 15, 2025, during his Senate Foreign Relations Committee confirmation hearing, then-Senator Rubio (R-FL) reaffirmed his commitment to supporting Taiwan’s national defense and international participation, stressing that defending Taiwan against China’s aggression is “critical” for the United States.

In response to a question from Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) on whether the People’s Republic of China (PRC) is the greatest threat to the United States, Rubio described the PRC as “the most potent and dangerous near-peer adversary this nation has ever confronted” and warned of severe consequences if the U.S. fails to take decisive action to address this extraordinary challenge.

Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) then posed the first question directly about Taiwan, and remarked “I believe they’ve [Taiwan] earned the right to have a voice in international affairs, and I also believe that they’re at a great risk right now with mainland China Xi’s plan to be aggressive militarily towards them… Will you support, in your role as Secretary of State, Taiwan’s right to have a voice in international affairs, and participate in international forums? And will you support the porcupine strategy providing that we will supply them with defense articles and defense services in such quantity as may be necessary to enable Taiwan to maintain a sufficient self-defense capability?”

In response, Senator Rubio emphasized that consecutive presidential administrations from both parties, including the Trump and the Biden administrations, have made clear that “the policy of the United States with Taiwan is encapsulated not just in the Taiwan Relations Act, but in the Six Assurances.”

Agreeing with Merkley that the U.S. must ensure Taiwan maintains sufficient self-defense capabilities, Rubio stressed that to deter Chinese aggression, the U.S. needs to “make the cost of invading Taiwan higher than the benefit.” “That’s critical not just to defending Taiwan [but] to preventing a cataclysmic military intervention in the Indo-Pacific,” he added.

When asked by Senator John Curtis (R-UT) how the U.S. can counter the PRC’s efforts to coerce Taiwan, Rubio stated: “We are going to do everything, and we reject any effort to coerce, intimidate, and/or forcibly drive Taiwan to do whatever China wants them to do. And that’s been our position, and that will continue.”

Rubio also emphasized the importance of safeguarding Taiwan’s international participation, stating that it is “important” for the U.S. “to find every opportunity possible to allow Taiwan to engage in international forums.”

FAPA President Dr. Su-Mei Kao states: “We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Secretary Rubio on his well-deserved confirmation by the Senate. As U.S. Senator, Secretary Rubio consistently demonstrated his steadfast support for Taiwan’s security, defense, economic prosperity, and international standing and engagement through championing key pro-Taiwan bills such as the Taiwan Travel Act. As Secretary of State, he is uniquely positioned to further strengthen and normalize the U.S.-Taiwan relations, counter China’s authoritarian aggression, and advocate for Taiwan’s rightful place in the international community.”

Dr. Kao adds: “We are confident that, under Secretary Rubio’s leadership, U.S. foreign policy will remain steadfast in ensuring Taiwan’s freedom and democracy. We look forward to collaborating with him to bolster U.S. support for Taiwan and promote peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and throughout the Indo-Pacific region.”

List of pro-Taiwan bills championed by Marco Rubio as U.S. Senator:

  • Taiwan Travel Act (enacted on March 16, 2018): Encourages visits between U.S. and Taiwanese officials at all levels, including high-level visits, to strengthen ties between the two nations.
  • Taiwan Allies International Protection and Enhancement Initiative Act (enacted on March 26, 2020): Enhances Taiwan’s diplomatic relationships and other partnerships around the world and supports Taiwan’s participation in international organizations.
  • Taiwan Peace Through Strength Act: Strengthens Taiwan’s defense capabilities and the U.S.-Taiwan security partnership, ensuring Taiwan is equipped to deter and defend against potential attack or invasion by the People’s Republic of China (PRC).
  • Taiwan Relations Reinforcement Act: Updates and bolsters U.S. policy to support Taiwan amid China’s increased aggression, while prohibiting U.S. recognition of PRC claims to sovereignty over Taiwan without the consent of the people of Taiwan.
  • Taiwan Representative Office Act: Proposes renaming Taiwan’s de facto embassy in the U.S. from the “Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office” (TECRO) to the “Taiwan Representative Office” (TRO), aligning with longstanding U.S. policy of referring to Taiwan as “Taiwan” and reflecting Taiwan’s national identity and dignity.

 

FAPA 祝賀盧比歐確認出任美國國務卿

台灣人公共事務會（FAPA）祝賀盧比歐（Marco Rubio）於 2025 年 1 月 20 日經美國參議院全票通過，正式成為美國第72任國務卿。作為台灣的堅定支持者及對中國立場強硬的鷹派人士，魯比歐國務卿因其致力於強化美台夥伴關係、反制中國對台灣的侵略行為、以及推動提升台灣的國際空間，而廣受認可與高度讚譽。 

2025年1月15日，在美國參議院外交關係委員會的人事任命聽證會上，時任聯邦參議員魯比歐（R-FL）重申了他對支持台灣國防和國際參與的承諾，並強調捍衛台灣免受中國侵略對美國來說「至關重要」。 

在答覆美國聯邦參議員芮基茲（Pete Ricketts, R-NE）關於中國是否為美國最大威脅的提問時，盧比歐將中華人民共和國形容為美國「有史以來所面臨的最強大、最危險、且實力近乎相當的對手」。他警告，如果美國未能採取果斷行動應對此一重大挑戰，將面臨嚴重的後果。 

聯邦參議員莫克利（Jeff Merkley, D-OR）隨後提出了一個直接有關台灣的問題，並表示：「我相信他們（台灣）已經贏得了在國際事務中發聲的權利，我也相信他們正面臨來自中國大陸在習近平的計劃下對其採取軍事侵略的巨大風險……。身為國務卿，您是否會支持台灣在國際事務中發聲的權利，並參與國際論壇？此外，您是否會支持『豪豬戰略』（porcupine strategy），確保我們向台灣提供充足的防禦武器與服務，以使台灣能夠維持足夠的自我防衛能力？」 

參議員盧比歐於回應時強調，包括川普和拜登政府在內的兩黨歷屆政府均明確表示，「美國對台政策不僅體現於《台灣關係法》中，也具體展現在『六項保證』之中。」 

盧比歐同意莫克利的觀點，認為美國必須確保台灣維持足夠的自我防衛能力。盧比歐並強調，為了嚇阻中國的侵略行為，美國必須「使（中國）入侵台灣的成本高於其可能獲得的利益」。他補充道：「這不僅對保衛台灣至關重要，也對防止印太地區發生災難性的軍事干預至為關鍵。」 

當聯邦參議員匡希恆（John Curtis, R-UT）詢問美國如何應對中國對台灣的脅迫時，盧比歐表示：「我們將盡一切努力，拒絕任何脅迫、恐嚇及強迫台灣屈從中國意圖的行為。這一直是我們的立場，未來也將繼續如此。」 

盧比歐還強調，保障台灣國際參與的重要性。他並表示，美國「必須抓住一切可能的機會，讓台灣能夠參與國際論壇」，這點極為重要。 

FAPA會長林素梅（Su-Mei Kao）博士表示：「我們誠摯祝賀盧比歐國務卿在參議院的人事任命投票中獲得實至名歸的全票通過。在過去擔任美國參議員期間，盧比歐國務卿始終堅定支持台灣的安全、防衛、經濟繁榮、以及國際參與，並推動了包括《台灣旅行法》在內的多項重要友台法案。如今出任美國國務卿，他將擁有獨特的職權與機會，進一步加強並正常化美台關係，對抗中國的威權侵略，並為台灣在國際社會中應有的地位與空間發聲。」 

林會長補充道：「我們相信，在盧比歐國務卿的領導下，美國的外交政策將繼續堅定不移地確保台灣的自由與民主。我們期待與他攜手合作，強化美國對台灣的支持，並促進台灣海峽及整個印太地區的和平與穩定。」 

在擔任美國參議員期間，盧比歐提出並推動了多項重要友台法案，例如：

  • 《台灣旅行法》（Taiwan Travel Act）（2018年3月16日生效）：鼓勵美國與台灣各級官員之間進行互訪，包括高層訪問，以加強並深化兩國之間的關係。
  • 《台灣友邦國際保護暨強化倡議法》（Taiwan Allies International Protection and Enhancement Initiative Act）（2020年3月26日生效）：強化台灣與邦交國及其他友邦之關係，並支持台灣參與國際組織。
  • 《透過實力促進台灣和平法》（Taiwan Peace Through Strength Act）：加強台灣的防禦能力及美台安全夥伴關係，以確保台灣具備足夠的能力來嚇阻並抵禦來自中華人民共和國的攻擊及入侵。
  • 《台灣關係強化法》（Taiwan Relations Reinforcement Act）：更新並強化美國對台政策，以支持台灣應對中國日益加劇的侵略威脅。同時，禁止美國在未經台灣人民同意的情況下承認中華人民共和國對台灣的主權主張。
  • 《台灣代表處法》（Taiwan Representative Office Act）：呼籲將台灣駐美國的事實上大使館之名稱，由「台北經濟文化代表處」（TECRO）更名為「台灣代表處」（TRO）。此更名不僅符合美國以「台灣」稱呼台灣的長期政策，並彰顯台灣的國家認同與尊嚴。