TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – A conference hosted by two U.S. think tanks was held on Thursday, March 14, to discuss the future of Taiwan-U.S. policy on the 40th anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA).



The conference, entitled “Phase Zero: a New Taiwan Policy” was hosted by the Project 2049 Institute and the Global Taiwan Institute. The event brought together U.S. officials and lawmakers, along with East Asia specialists, and featured a pre-recorded key note address by the President of Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan, Su Jia-chyuan (蘇嘉全).



At the conference, Jim Heller, a Foreign Service Officer with the State Department declared that the U.S. government continues to support Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organizations, specifically the World Health Organization (WHO), and its annual assembly, the WHA.



He also recognized China’s continued attempts to suppress Taiwan’s voice and engagement on the international stage.



Su Jia-chyuan in his address recognized the importance of the TRA which is crucial to help safeguard democratic governance in Taiwan and political stability across the Indo-pacific. He also praised the enduring friendship between the United States and Taiwan.

U.S Senator Cory Gardner also addressed the conference and called for increased awareness of Taiwan’s situation, and expressed support for increased military cooperation between Taiwan and the U.S.



Gardner discussed the Asia Reassurance Initiative Act, which became law on Dec. 31, 2018 and calls for increased U.S. engagement in the Indo-Pacific region. Gardner said that moving forward, it should be U.S. policy to cooperate with Taiwan in every possible way permitted by law to ensure that Taiwan’s free and democratic future is secured.



Speakers at the“Phase Zero: A New Taiwan Policy?” conference can be observed in the video below.