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US-China relations
ChinaDiplomacy

Taiwan to set up veterans office in Washington, Tsai Ing-wen tells visiting US Congress group

  • Five more American representatives touch down on island for packed schedule, including talks with Tsai
  • More expected to make the trip in the future, delegation leader says

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Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen meets members of the US Congress in the Presidential Office in Taipei on Friday: Photo: Taiwan Presidential Office via AP
Lawrence Chung
Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen told a group of visiting US congressmen the administration will set up an office in Washington next year to handle veterans affairs, as the island continues to strengthen ties with the United States.
She also told the group that joint US-Taiwan efforts had helped the island’s air force form its first F-16V fighter jet squadron – a move observers said could boost the island’s defences against military pressure from the mainland.

The group of four Democrats and one Republican arrived in Taipei on a US military C40-C transport plane late on Thursday night for a visit on Friday, following stops in Japan and South Korea.

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The representatives, led by Mark Takano, chairman of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, had a packed schedule, including visiting the island’s Veterans Affairs Council, and defence and foreign ministries. The lawmakers also had a meeting with Tsai at her office in Taipei.

“Veterans’ affairs is one area in which Taiwan and the US have enjoyed particularly close cooperation for the past few years. Thanks for the joint efforts. I can announce starting next year our Veterans Affairs Council will have an official base in Washington DC,” Tsai told the group.

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Tsai said the facilities would help the two sides “better coordinate and expand our exchanges in health insurance, quality health care, appointment assistance and long-term care for veterans”.

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