The Governor of Oklahoma, Kevin Stitt, led a delegation to visit Taiwan and met with President of the Republic of China, Tsai Ing-wen. President Tsai expressed gratitude for Governor Stitt’s attention and support for Taiwan, looking forward to further developing a closer economic and trade cooperation relationship between the two sides.
President Tsai received Governor Kevin Stitt of Oklahoma and his delegation, thanking him and the Oklahoma State Legislature for their attention to Taiwan and support for Taiwan’s international participation. President Tsai believes that the deepening of Taiwan-US relations goes beyond the mutual need for economic and trade investment or industrial chain cooperation but also reflects the shared commitment to democratic values and freedom.
The President expressed hopes for deeper exchanges in energy, trade, two-way investment promotion, and the creation of a good future together, fostering democracy, peace, and prosperity. President Tsai warmly welcomed Governor Stitt on his first visit to Asia, choosing Taiwan as his first stop. She expressed appreciation for the Governor’s visit to Taiwan and wished to forge a closer economic and trade cooperation relationship between Taiwan and Oklahoma.
President Tsai mentioned the sisterly relationship between Taiwan and Oklahoma established in 1980 as well as the Oklahoma State Legislature’s resolution in May this year, affirming the friendly relations between Oklahoma and Taiwan and celebrating the 45th anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act. She thanked Governor Stitt and the Oklahoma State Legislature for their support.
President Tsai further highlighted the cooperation between Taiwan and Oklahoma in various fields, such as the renewal of an education cooperation memorandum between Taiwan and the Oklahoma State Department of Education last year. This year in September, a delegation from Oklahoma visited Taiwan, deepening cooperation in the drone industry. Governor Stitt’s visit also aimed to sign an “Economic, Energy, Trade Cooperation Agreement” with the Ministry of Economic Affairs, demonstrating the enduring friendship and exchange between Taiwan and Oklahoma.
President Tsai commended Governor Stitt’s firm stance against authoritarian expansion and emphasized the importance of the deepening of Taiwan-US relations not only in economic and trade investment but also in the shared commitment to democratic values and freedoms. She reiterated the mutual desire for further exchanges in energy, trade, two-way investment promotion, creating a bright future together, and continued cooperation for democracy, peace, and prosperity.
In response to reports that China may conduct military exercises near Taiwan based on President Tsai’s visits to Pacific allies, the Ministry of National Defense of Taiwan announced today that the People’s Liberation Army has established seven airspace reservation zones east of Zhejiang and Fujian provinces from December 9 to 11. Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense has initiated response measures and instructed all units to closely monitor the situation, maintaining a high state of readiness.
President Tsai expressed Taiwan’s admiration for Oklahoma’s natural landscapes and cultural geography, welcoming the delegation to visit Taiwan again in the future to explore other cities and enjoy different scenery, promising a warm reception and wishing a fruitful journey. Governor Kevin Stitt expressed gratitude for the opportunity to meet President Tsai, noting the warm welcome received by his delegation. He expressed excitement about deepening the relationship between Oklahoma and Taiwan, eager to share his Taiwan experience with the people of Oklahoma, highlighting Taiwan’s economic success stories and technological achievements that are renowned not only in Oklahoma but worldwide.
Governor Stitt emphasized Taiwan as one of Oklahoma’s largest trading partners, benefiting from the deepening relationship since their sisterhood was established in the 1980s. He welcomed Taiwan’s representative office and industry delegation to Oklahoma in April to discuss cooperation in the aerospace sector, appreciating the exploration of cooperation opportunities with Taiwanese companies.
Governor Stitt noted the visit of Oklahoma’s drone industry delegation to Taiwan in October, exploring collaboration opportunities with Taiwanese businesses and signing memoranda of understanding to strengthen their partnership further. Oklahoma is proud of its aerospace development and innovation in autonomous driving technology, which he believes is crucial for Taiwan as well.
Governor Stitt expressed hopes for further cooperation with Taiwan in the field of autonomous drones, signing an MOU today to deepen friendship and cooperation, expanding collaboration in aerospace, drones, energy, and other critical mineral supply chain areas. He hoped to work together to increase trade and investment opportunities, bringing prosperity and development to the people of Taiwan and Oklahoma.