TIFA to strengthen U.S.-Taiwan relations: AIT

TIFA (Trade and Investment Framework Agreement) is at the center of the efforts in building a growing and dynamic economic relationship with Taiwan, said Young at his farewell lunch, which was hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce in Taipei.

"TIFA exists not only to solve trade problems, but also to serve as a vehicle for building links between two of the world's major economies," Young said.

The relationship does not only regard trade, but it encompasses other worldwide challenges, including halting the spread of infectious diseases and environmental issues, he added.

Young also commented on the improved cross-strait relations since President Ma Ying-jeou of the Kuomintang (KMT) came into power a year ago.

"The Ma administration has played a positive role in exploring ways to enhance cooperation and reduce tensions with the People's Republic of China (PRC)," Young said at the banquet.

Young said significant progress on improving bilateral economic and trade relations had been made, but it will take longer for the two sides to deal with issues that involve the country's international space and political positioning.

According to Young, the island is off to a good start in terms of building friendly relations with mainland China, but more work would be required to bring the relationship to the next level.

Young also mentioned the beef industry, urging that Taiwan open its markets to all U.S. beef, based on scientifically certified information from the World Organization for Animal Health.

He added that he hopes to have this accomplished in the next few weeks before he leaves, as well as a multitude of other agriculture issues, such as U.S. pork markets and Taiwan's WTO rice quota.

The top U.S. envoy also said that while the world is commemorating the Tiananmen Square tragedy, it is important to emphasize Taiwan's democratic progress in the past two decades.

Taiwan's democratic achievements are a good example for the mainland China, which is not commemorating the 20th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square incident, with the rest of the world, he added.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton released a statement on Wednesday and called on China to reflect on the incident.

She urged that China openly examine "the darker events of its past" and give a public accounting of "those killed, detained or missing, both to learn and to heal."

Asked who his successor will be, Young, who departs this summer, said it remains unknown.

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