Taiwan’s President-elect William Lai and Vice President-elect Maggie Shao are set to take office, and the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) announced on the 15th that a bipartisan delegation will represent the American people at Lai’s presidential inauguration ceremony on May 20, 2024.
According to AIT’s press release on the 15th, they are pleased to announce that a bipartisan delegation will represent the American people at the inauguration of Taiwan’s President-elect William Lai on May 20, 2024. The delegation will consist of two former U.S. officials, a Taiwan expert, the current Chairman of AIT, and the AIT Director.
Members of the bipartisan American delegation include former President’s special assistant and National Economic Council Director Brian Deese, former Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage, and former AIT Chairman Richard Bush. AIT Chairman Laura Rosenberger will accompany the delegation, along with AIT Director Sandra Oudkirk.
During their visit to Taiwan, the delegation will attend the inauguration ceremony on May 20 and meet with various leaders. They will convey the American people’s congratulations to President Lai, wishing him success as Taiwan’s fifth democratically elected president, and congratulating the Taiwanese people on showcasing the strength and soundness of their democratic system. Additionally, the delegation will emphasize the long-standing U.S. commitment to maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.
According to reports by the Central News Agency, U.S. officials stated that for over twenty years, the U.S. has sent delegations composed of former officials to Taiwan following presidential elections and ahead of inaugurations. This practice aligns with the U.S.’s One-China policy, the status quo, and its longstanding approach. The inauguration ceremony is part of the democratic process, and the U.S. delegation’s attendance reflects this. Any military pressure or coercion by Beijing in response would be seen as provocative. The delegation is expected to arrive in Taipei over the weekend to participate in the inauguration ceremony and engage in a series of meetings.
The U.S. official reaffirmed America’s cross-strait policy, stating that the U.S. opposes unilateral changes to the status quo, does not support Taiwan independence, advocates for dialogue between both sides, and looks forward to resolving cross-strait differences peacefully and in a manner acceptable to both peoples, free from coercion. The U.S. maintains neutrality on the ultimate resolution as long as it is peaceful. The official emphasized that the U.S. has not altered its long-standing position on Taiwan, adhering to the One-China policy based on the Taiwan Relations Act, the Three Joint Communiqués, and the Six Assurances to Taiwan.
The official mentioned that AIT has been in communication with Taipei regarding America’s cross-strait policy, and this dialogue continues leading up to the inauguration, as it did during President Tsai Ing-wen’s tenure. Under the new presidency, the U.S. hopes for stability and emphasizes the need to “maintain the status quo.”