Mango symbolizes fruitful Taiwan-US bond
“As we commemorate America's 237th birthday, let us also celebrate the fruits of our long-running cooperation and friendship,” American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Director Christopher Marut said.
Speaking of fruit, the AIT head said he recently visited a mango farmer surnamed Cheng in the southern city of Tainan.
“Fifty years ago, Cheng grafted samplings from Irwin mango trees raised in Florida onto Taiwan mango trees,” Marut said.
“This experiment, assisted at that time by the United States Agency for International Development, later resulted in the successful commercial production of Irwin (愛文) mangoes throughout Southern Taiwan.
“So these delicious mangoes are literally a fruit of the strong ties of partnership between the US and Taiwan,” he added.
Delivering his address entirely in Mandarin, Marut said bilateral relations between Taiwan and the US have seen significant improvement in recent years, especially with Taiwan's entry into the US Visa Waiver Program (VWP) in 2012.
The decision has greatly simplified travel for business and tourism and is creating new opportunities to expand economic growth and enhance mutual understanding, he said.
Trade relations have also seen a major step forward with the resumption of talks under the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) this past March, Marut said.
He added that the AIT, which represents US interests in Taiwan in the absence of official ties, looks forward to continuing to work with the Taiwan government to nurture, protect and promote the values of freedom, respect for the dignity of individuals and economic and environmental progress.
It was Marut's first Independence Day reception since he took office as head of the AIT in Taipei last year.
Source: www.chinapost.com.tw
