The Chairman of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), Raymond Burghardt, is scheduled to visit Taiwan Wednesday for a routine visit. The AIT is the de facto US embassy in the absence of formal diplomatic ties between the two sides.
During his four-day visit, Burghardt will meet with President Ma Ying-jeou and high-ranking government officials to exchange views on issues of mutual concern.
This is Burghardt’s 16th trip to Taiwan since his appointment as AIT Chairman in February 2006.
On Tuesday, the foreign ministry said relations between Taiwan and the United States are at their best in 35 years and that Burghardt has played a major role in promoting the ties. That includes arms sales to Taiwan, exchange visits made by ranking officials on both sides as well as a US visa waiver program.