US deploys federal employees to Taiwan government offices

With the aim of strengthening the close ties between the US and Taiwan, the Trump administration has launched a new initiative under which US federal employees will be sent to work in Taiwan's government offices. According to a report by 'The Independent', the 'American Institute in Taiwan' (AIT), which acts as the de facto US embassy, announced this on Wednesday. This scheme is known as the 'Taiwan Fellowship Program', which receives funding under Washington's 2023 Taiwan Fellowship Act.

Participants in this program will first undergo intensive Mandarin language training and study for one year. After completing the training, these fellows will work for one year in Taiwan's parliamentary offices, various ministries, other government agencies, or non-public sector organizations. The AIT has clarified that the main objective of this program is to expand and strengthen the partnership between the US and Taiwan, as well as to develop expertise and understanding of Taiwan among US officials. However, the number of employees who will be part of this program each year has not been disclosed.

This program will create a group of US federal professionals who possess linguistic skills, cultural knowledge, and long-term working relationships in Taiwan. The memorandum of understanding for this program was signed in the US on Tuesday. AIT Managing Director Ingrid Larson stated that this fellowship program reflects strong bipartisan support for US-Taiwan relations and demonstrates a commitment to the ties between the people of both countries.

It is noteworthy that, like most countries, the US does not have formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan, yet Washington remains Taiwan's most important international supporter and arms supplier. This matter remains a constant source of tension in relations with Beijing. China considers Taiwan to be a part of itself and has repeatedly demanded that the US reduce contacts with Taiwan and stop arms sales.

The American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) is an organization based in Taiwan that acts as the de facto US embassy. In 1994, the US Congress launched a similar scheme named the 'Mike Mansfield Fellowship' for Japan, based on which this new program has been designed. The issue of Taiwan has remained the most sensitive diplomatic subject for China.