Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) emphasized the enduring strength of Taiwan–U.S. relations in a Facebook post on Tuesday. The post was made following a visit to the exhibition “A Retrospective on Postwar Taiwan–U.S. Relations” at the Academia Historica with American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Director Raymond Greene.
Lin says that looking back on the 75-year development of Taiwan–U.S. relations, the U.S. has consistently played a pivotal role in Taiwan’s journey. He adds that the visit was not only a reflection on history, but also an affirmation of confidence in the future partnership of the two nations.
Lin highlighted key historical moments in his post, including the U.S.-R.O.C. Mutual Defense Treaty, the initiation of U.S. aid, the enactment of the Taiwan Relations Act, and President Ronald Reagan’s Six Assurances. He said each significantly impacted Taiwan’s historical trajectory, pointing out that U.S. support for human rights reforms helped guide Taiwan’s peaceful transition to democracy.
He also cited milestones like the U.S. Congress’s 2016 resolution reaffirming the Taiwan Relations Act and Six Assurances, and the 2018 Taiwan Travel Act, which boosted high-level official exchanges.
Through handwritten diary excerpts from Chiang Kai-shek (蔣中正) and Chiang Ching-kuo (蔣經國), visitors get a glimpse into the leadership challenges during pivotal events like the loss of Taiwan’s UN seat and the 1979 U.S.-Taiwan diplomatic break. The exhibition traces Taiwan’s post-U.S. aid economic transformation, from labor-intensive industries to becoming a global tech leader today.