TAIPEI (TVBS News) — President-elect Lai Ching-te met with a U.S. delegation on Monday (Jan. 15), outlining Taiwan's continued commitment to defending peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait under his leadership, alongside Vice President-elect Hsiao Bi-khim.
Lai expressed gratitude for U.S. congratulations following Taiwan's election and for the dispatch of a bipartisan heavyweight delegation, and expressed hope for ongoing U.S. support, building upon the groundwork laid by President Tsai Ing-wen.
The president-elect stated his intent to maintain peace across the Taiwan Strait by cooperating with the U.S. and other allies of similar ideologies, and committed to dedicating his efforts to national affairs before his inauguration on May 20.
The U.S. delegation, including former US national security adviser Stephen Hadley and former US deputy secretary of state James Steinberg, was accompanied by American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Chair Laura Rosenberger.
Steinberg emphasized the consistency of U.S. policy toward Taiwan, regardless of whether the Democratic or Republican party is in power, supporting peaceful resolutions to cross-strait issues and ongoing dialogue.
Additionally, the delegation met with Hou Yu-ih, New Taipei's mayor who lost in the recent election, Ko Wen-je, chairman of the Taiwan People's Party, and Kuomintang (KMT) Chairman Eric Chu.