TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) met with a delegation from the Washington-based Brookings Institution on Wednesday, thanking them for their long-standing support of US-Taiwan relations as he called for deeper cooperation.
Lai said Taiwan and the US face shared challenges, including the expansion of authoritarianism, the restructuring of global supply chains, and rapid advances in AI. He said he hopes the two sides will deepen partnerships across multiple sectors to contribute to regional and global peace and stability, per a press release.
The president praised Brookings Institution Center for Asia Policy Studies Director Ryan Hass as a longtime friend of Taiwan, noting he has led delegations to Taiwan for five consecutive years. Founded more than a century ago by Robert S. Brookings, the nonpartisan think tank conducts public policy research and advises lawmakers.
Lai noted that this year marks the 250th anniversary of the founding of the US and the 30th anniversary of Taiwan's first direct presidential election. He said the sixth Taiwan-US Economic Prosperity Partnership Dialogue, held earlier this year in Washington, concluded with the Joint Statement on the Pax Silica Declaration and US-Taiwan Cooperation on Economic Security, providing a foundation for expanded cooperation in semiconductors and advanced technologies.
The president said his administration is working to transform Taiwan into an "AI Island" by promoting AI adoption across industries while advancing silicon photonics, quantum technology, and robotics. "We firmly believe there is room for closer exchanges and cooperation between Taiwan and the US in areas such as AI supply chain development, digital infrastructure, and the cultivation of high-tech talent," Lai said.
He also outlined the government's goal of making Taiwan Asia's hub for drone development, saying a special defense budget will support procurement of unmanned systems and the establishment of integrated drone defense and offensive capabilities. Lai said Taiwan and the US should work together to establish a China-free drone supply chain to strengthen both countries' industries while contributing to regional peace and stability, per the press release.
The president said Taiwan remains on the front line of defending democracy and is committed to safeguarding its sovereignty and freedom. He noted that this year's Han Kuang military exercises, followed by urban resilience drills, underscore the importance of closer military-civilian integration to improve Taiwan's ability to respond to a range of threats.
Hass said the Brookings delegation's annual research visit to Taiwan reflects a long-standing tradition that has continued regardless of whether the KMT or DPP has been in power, including during the COVID-19 pandemic and periods of heightened cross-strait tensions.
He said the continuity of the exchanges demonstrates the institution's enduring commitment to US-Taiwan relations, built on shared interests, democratic values, and mutual respect. Hass added that this year's discussions on technology and national security are intended to strengthen bilateral ties and support peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.
