On May 21, 2024, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China (Taiwan) announced that members of both parties in the United States Congress, including the Speaker of the House and Democratic leaders, have extended their congratulations to President Lai Ching-te and Vice President Hsiao Mei-chin on their inauguration as the 16th President and Vice President of the Republic of China.
President Lai and Vice President Hsiao were sworn into office on May 20. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement today highlighting that key leaders such as Mike Johnson, the Speaker of the House, Hakeem Jeffries, a Democratic leader, and Nancy Pelosi, the Honorary Speaker, as well as members of the Foreign Affairs Committee and the House China Task Force, along with the Co-Chairs of the Congressional Taiwan Caucus and other influential members of both houses of Congress, have congratulated Taiwan through letters, statements, and social media posts. This demonstrates strong bipartisan support from the U.S. Congress for Taiwan’s democratic achievements.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China expressed gratitude for the timely statements of support from both the U.S. executive branch and Congress following the inauguration of Taiwan’s new President. It also acknowledged the unwavering support for Taiwan-U.S. relations and Taiwan’s democratic process from bipartisan leaders in the U.S. Congress. Building on the solid foundation of Taiwan-U.S. relations, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is committed to working hand in hand with the United States to promote cooperation in various fields and safeguard peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.
Furthermore, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken issued a statement on May 20 congratulating President Lai on his inauguration and extending best wishes to President Lai and the people of Taiwan. Secretary Blinken expressed his anticipation of continued collaboration with President Lai to advance mutual interests and values between Taiwan and the U.S., as well as to maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. He also thanked former President Tsai Ing-wen for her contributions to Taiwan-U.S. relations over the past eight years.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China noted that Secretary Blinken’s public demonstration of strong support for Taiwan’s freedom and democracy underscores the significance that the United States places on Taiwan-U.S. relations. It reflects the steadfast partnership built on shared values between Taiwan and the United States, reinforcing the notion of a rock-solid relationship rooted in common values.