Premier Jiang Yi-huah received a delegation from the United States led by the chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, Senator Robert Menendez of New Jersey, at the Executive Yuan today.
The premier extended his welcome and expressed gratitude for Menendez's firm and long-standing support of Taiwan, which helped the nation obtain membership in the U.S.'s Visa Waiver Program and led to the U.S. Congress formally supporting Taiwan's bid to join the International Civil Aviation Organization.
"These actions are highly significant for Taiwan. I cannot thank you enough," Jiang said.
"Taiwan places great emphasis on its alliance with the United States. This steadfast friendship is our chief consideration when managing relations with nearby states and conducting regional politics. It is the pillar of Taiwanese foreign policy."
The premier told the senator that liberalization is the path Taiwan must take in order to sustain economic development, and the nation is trying to enter into more regional economic organizations and expediting preparations to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), firstly by establishing good relations with TPP members.
The ROC pays great attention to national security and hopes the United States will provide the country with the weaponry it needs to defend itself, added Jiang, who stressed that sufficient funds will be allocated to military procurement in the coming years.
"Taiwan's transition to an all-volunteer military is a major reform which must succeed," Jiang insisted. "Despite recent difficulties, the government will do all it can to ensure this change is completed smoothly next year."
The premier admitted some citizens have expressed opposition to the construction of the Longmen Nuclear Power Plant but said this does not necessarily indicate a lack of support from the public as a whole for the government's policy of producing nuclear power on the premise of nuclear safety. The administration would like to resolve the controversy with a referendum, and this course of action is supported by over 70 percent of Taiwanese according to recent surveys, he remarked.
"I believe the details of the referendum will be finalized within the next one to two months, following negotiations with opposing parties," Jiang assured.
In addition to Senator Menendez, the U.S. delegation that visited the Executive Yuan today included Brent Christensen, acting director of the American Institute in Taiwan's Taipei Office; Daniel O'Brien, staff director of the Committee on Foreign Relations; Michael Schiffer, senior advisor and counselor for that committee's majority staff; and Captain Brian O'Shea, Senate Liaison Officer for the Headquarters Marine Corps' Office of Legislative Affairs.
Premier Jiang was accompanied by Executive Yuan Spokesperson Cheng Li-wun, Deputy Foreign Minister Joseph Shih as well as Bruce Linghu, director-general of the Department of North American Affairs under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.