Taiwan's Representative Office in the U.S. Holds Double Tenth Reception, Alexander Yu Stresses Arms Sales to Taiwan Will Not Stop

The Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States held a reception at Twin Oaks in Washington on Wednesday to celebrate the 115th anniversary of the founding of the Republic of China, and the atmosphere at the venue was warm. In their remarks at the event, both American and Taiwanese representatives spoke about their bilateral relationship based on shared values such as democracy, freedom, and the rule of law.

One focus of current attention is whether U.S. arms sales to Taiwan will change after a meeting between U.S. President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Taiwan's representative to the U.S., Alexander Yu, answered questions from reporters after the event, responding to a Voice of America question by saying that the United States fully understands the military threat Taiwan faces and that arms sales to Taiwan will continue to move forward. "I think arms sales to Taiwan will continue, as some experts say it's not a question of whether but of when. Of course, the U.S. will make its own assessment of this, but this action will not stop."

Alexander Yu also emphasized that it is clear from the recent U.S.-China leaders' summit that the U.S. position on Taiwan has not changed, and that bilateral relations remain strong and continue to develop. At Wednesday's reception, diplomatic personnel from multiple countries gathered together, with more than a thousand people attending. A variety of Taiwanese specialties were served, including shaved ice, braised pork rice, and deep-fried Taiwanese tilapia, along with an exhibition of phalaenopsis orchids, presenting Taiwan's diverse cultural characteristics.

Because the U.S. midterm elections have entered the final one-month sprint before voting, many members of Congress have returned to their home districts, so they expressed their congratulations instead through congratulatory letters or statements.