TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) celebrated the 248th anniversary of U.S. Independence on Tuesday (July 2) with a grand reception. Vice President Bi-khim Hsiao (蕭美琴) and AIT Director Sandra Oudkirk (孫曉雅) attended the event, which highlighted the strong ties between the U.S. and Taiwan.
Oudkirk, speaking in Mandarin, thanked Hsiao for her participation and praised her leadership. She expressed confidence in the continued growth of the U.S.-Taiwan friendship under President Lai Ching-te (賴清德).
The event saw an impressive lineup of attendees, including Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu (韓國瑜), National Security Council Secretary-General Joseph Wu (吳釗燮), Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍), Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen (盧秀燕), Kuomintang (KMT) Chairman Eric Chu (朱立倫), Taiwan People's Party (TPP) Chairman Ko Wen-je (柯文哲), and TSMC founder Morris Chang (張忠謀).
Oudkirk, who will step down this week, will be succeeded by Raymond F. Greene, the U.S. Minister to Japan. During her tenure, Oudkirk was crucial in strengthening the U.S.-Taiwan partnership, particularly enhancing global supply chain resilience and combating cybersecurity threats.