U.S. and Taiwan (2009)

U.S. Department of State

Remarks Before the 18th General Meeting of the Pacific Economic Cooperation Council

James B. Steinberg
Deputy Secretary of State
Washington, DC
May 12, 2009

[ ...Intervening Text... ]

DEPUTY SECRETARY STEINBERG: Thank you, Charles, for that wonderful introduction. We all get these introductions. They're always a little embarrassing. But that's actually very meaningful to me -- hearing those words from Mike Oksenberg, who all of us admired so much. He was really a mentor in so many ways and gave such great service to our country and really to the transformation of U.S. engagement in East Asia. So we remember him all with great affection and respect.

[ ...Intervening Text... ]

Taken together, these meetings and visits demonstrate a clear commitment to a vibrant and active engagement in the region, which as this group knows, accounts for about 60 percent of global GDP and half of global trade. The figures are at least as striking when we talk more specifically about the significance to the American economy. Sixty percent of all U.S. exports go to APEC countries and taken together, six of PECC's members -- China, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Canada, and Mexico -- are among the top 12 trading partners of the United States.

[ ...Intervening Text... ]

The range in depth of our engagement with China today has come a remarkable distance since the time I first visited China as a US official at the beginning of the Clinton Administration. And we also remain committed to a vibrant unofficial relationship with fellow APEC member Taiwan as we welcome progress in cross-straits relations. And our relations in Northeast Asia are complimented by deepening ties with the ASEAN countries, such as the comprehensive partnership we have launched with Indonesia and our close ties with Singapore.

[ ...Intervening Text... ]

NADIA CHOW [Liberty Times, Taiwan]: You just mentioned there is progress in cross-strait relations, and that the U.S. welcomes that. We also heard many former U.S. officials or think tanks argue for a policy review on Taiwan and cross-straits relations. Do you foresee a possibility or need for a policy review at this moment?

DEPUTY SECRETARY STEINBERG: It's kind of a hearty staple of administrations that we have Taiwan policy reviews. But I actually believe that we are on a very good trajectory in our relations both with China and with Taiwan, and that we want to encourage that trajectory to continue.

I think we're especially encouraged not only by the deepening economic ties and the recent cross-straits announcements, but also the very important decision to support Taiwan's observer status in the WHA [World Health Assembly], which is extremely timely in light of the H1N1 virus crisis and our experience in the past. So I think this is a case where a sustained and steady hand on the policy has served us well.

There's been important continuity over the years between administrations, Republican and Democratic, on how to encourage peaceful resolution and peaceful dialogue between Taiwan and Beijing and I think we want to see that continue.

[ ...Intervening Text... ]