President Lai sends congratulatory letter to President-elect Trump via O’Brien

President Lai sends congratulatory letter to President-elect Trump via O’Brien

2024-11-10

A congratulatory letter from President Lai Ching-te was delivered to president-elect Donald Trump last week just two days after Trump was reelected president. Taiwan’s Representative to the US Alexander Yui met with former US national security advisor Robert O’Brien in Salt Lake City, where Yui handed Lai’s letter to him. O’Brien, who served as the White House national security adviser during Trump’s first term, is now one of the candidates slated for the position of secretary of state in the incoming administration.

Former US national security advisor Robert O’Brien visited Taiwan last year and met with then-Vice President Lai Ching-te. Now, more than a year later, Lai has become president of Taiwan, and O’Brien has helped him deliver a congratulatory letter to US president-elect Donald Trump.

According to a CNN report, O’Brien met with Taiwan’s Representative to the US Alexander Yui over a private lunch in Salt Lake City last Thursday. During that lunch, the letter was passed along and then shared with Trump. Worthy of note is that O’Brien, who served as Trump’s national security adviser during his first term, is now one of the names considered for the position of secretary of state in the new administration.

Voice of Hsiao Kuang-wei
Foreign ministry spokesperson
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has asked our representative office in the United States to forward a congratulatory letter from President Lai to president-elect Trump. In addition to congratulating him on his victory, President Lai also expressed his expectation to further strengthen cooperation with the Trump administration on the basis of the close friendly partnership between Taiwan and the United States. As for relevant details, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has no further comment.

Chen Shih-min
NTU Political Science
O’Brien is a significant figure. He was very friendly towards Taiwan in the past. If the congratulatory letter was delivered to Trump through O’Brien, then I believe it would have a considerable effect on the promotion of trust between Taiwan and the US.

Now that Lai’s congratulatory letter has been delivered, observers are anticipating the possibility of a phone call between Lai and Trump. The controversial phone call eight years ago between then-president Tsai Ing-wen and then-US president-elect Trump is still fresh in people’s minds. Although the Presidential Office recently stated that it was not seeking arrangements for such a phone call, one political researcher believes that the possibility is still there.

Chen Shih-min
NTU Political Science
One typical characteristic of Trump is uncertainty. Trump has not yet taken office. He is not a US official. So there is the possibility that Trump will have a phone call with President Lai, since such a conversation would not violate the US’ so-called one-China policy.

Given the high uncertainty surrounding Trump’s actions, it could not be ruled out that such a phone call could be used to put pressure on China. US Indo-Pacific Command General Kevin Schneider has commented on PLA incursions into airspace near Taiwan, which have increased 300% since Lai took office. Schneider says that his forces would continue to use effective deterrence and not allow China to unilaterally undermine peace in the Taiwan Strait.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Sun to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

俞大㵢會晤歐布萊恩將賴總統正式賀函轉交川普團隊

2024-11-10

我國駐美代表俞大㵢，日前與川普時期的前國安顧問歐布萊恩會晤，並將賴清德總統的正式賀函轉交，而他也是國務卿熱門人選，儘管府方日前強調，沒有尋求賴總統與川普通話，但學者認為川普不確定高，加上八年前已有先例，不排除會透過與賴總統通話，再對中國施壓。

美國前白宮國安顧問歐布萊恩去年訪台，與時任副總統的賴清德會面，時隔一年多，賴清德成為總統，歐布萊恩也協助將他的賀函，轉交給重回白宮的川普。

根據美國CNN報導，我駐美代表俞大㵢與歐布萊恩，7號在猶他州鹽湖城會晤，俞大㵢將賴總統的正式賀函，透過歐布萊恩轉交給川普團隊，值得注意的是，歐布萊恩除了擔任過川普的國安顧問，更是新政府國務卿熱門人選。

[[聲源:外交部副發言人蕭光偉]]
“外交部已經請我國駐美國代表處，轉送賴總統致川普總統當選人的賀函，除了祝賀勝選外也表達，期待在台美緊密友好夥伴關係的基礎上，進一步強化與川普政府的合作，至於相關細節，外交部沒有評論。”

[[台大政治系副教授陳世民]]
“歐布萊恩是很代表性的一個人物，他過去跟我們台灣十分的友好。如果說(賀函)可以透過歐布萊恩，交給這個川普的話，那我相信對於台美之間的信任關係，應該有相當大的一個促進作用。”

賴清德賀函送到川普手上，外界也關注兩人有沒有通話性可能，特別八年前蔡川已有先例，儘管府方日前表示，沒有尋求通話安排，但學者認為可能性並非為零。

[[台大政治系副教授陳世民]]
“川普他的一個最典型的一個特點，就是不確定性。川普他當然還沒有上任，他不是美國官員，當然也談不上有任何的一個違反美國，所謂一中政策任何的一個問題，川普跟賴總統通電話的可能性是存在的。”

直言川普不確性高，不排除藉台美通話施壓中國，畢竟中國動作頻頻，美國印太司令部空軍指揮官施奈德示警，520後解放軍機進入ADIZ或穿越中線，空中行動增加300%，他重申會持續有效嚇阻，不允許中方片面破壞和平。

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Amid the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war, conflicts in the Middle East, and continued threats from China in the Taiwan Strait and South China Sea, the MOA Expo is a reminder of the importance of a strong Taiwanese military.

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Tonight we’re meeting Kevin Ku, an 18-year-old highschooler from Taipei. Having sensory motor neuropathy may have weakened his limbs, but never his determination. He skateboards, speaks fluent English, makes viral videos, and on top of all that, he’s also a top performer in school. In this year’s university entrance exam, he got a near-perfect score. How did he manage to do all that? Let’s find out in our Sunday special report.

At the skateboard rink, 18-year old Kevin Ku confidently pushes forward. He even makes reels in fluent English, gaining fans around the world.

At 11-months-old, Ku was diagnosed with sensory motor neuropathy. His free nerve endings began to deteriorate, and soon he could barely move his arms and legs: at his lowest point he could only exert force from the right pinkie. He’s been a wheelchair user since 3rd grade. In middle school a video from abroad showing someone with disabilities on a skateboard piqued his interest.

Lo Ming-huei
Ku’s mother
Actually when he first said he wanted to learn how to skateboard, like all mothers, I thought, “Probably not. You’re not putting yourself in danger.”

Ku Pu
Ku’s father
As parents of a child with disabilities, our realization was that we should try to close the gap between him and other children. As parents, that’s what we should strive to do. So whatever other children can do, I think if our kid wants to as well, then we’ll accept it and support him, no questions asked.

It’s quite an event every time he goes out to skateboard.

Round and round the bandage goes on the fingers and the wrist. Ku’s father said it’s like putting shoes on, except on the hands.

Because his limbs are thinner, no protective gear will fit. Instead, Ku’s father thought of using leather and anti-slip mat, for extra protection.

Lo Ming-huei
Ku’s mother
In the beginning, many people introduced different doctors to us, and we did start to visit them. Some doctors were resolute, saying he’ll definitely end up like this or that. So of course we’d leave the consultation room in tears. We’ve heard too much of the same.

Ku Pu
Ku’s father
When I heard of the diagnosis I went to the riverside park, strolling and feeling very upset. Of course I was. How could I not be?

Instead of giving way to defeat, the family of three decided to take on the challenge. Ku’s mother quit her job, while his father changed to a more flexible role, so that they could offer the most support possible.

His soles and thighs are being tied to the skateboard. It takes a strong core to stay put, while the arms do the rest. For Ku, with barely any strength in the limbs, it took countless tries to finally be able to move like this.

Kevin Ku
Skateboarder
I started skateboarding in 8th grade. Physically speaking, I wasn’t in the habit of exercising then. So after I got on the skateboard I couldn’t stabilize myself with my feet, and I didn’t have much strength in my hands to push forward. So it was like when I was up there I couldn’t push forward, couldn’t skate forward.

Lo Ming-huei
Ku’s mother
When he first got up there, he fell and couldn’t do it. Later we had a new strategy. He’ll try get up there by himself on an electric skateboard first. His father helped him modify the electric skateboard, so he can control the speed he’s being propelled forward by blowing on it.

In the beginning, Ku’s father installed this catheter-like device, which allowed him to control the speed of the electric skateboard with his breath. The Internet wasn’t kind to them.

Ku Pu
Ku’s father
Someone said it’s cheating if he’s not using his own strength, that the modification is not much different from a wheelchair. But then later I thought, “Hmm… true. So what?”

But Ku insisted on using his own hands, feeble they may be. Of course he gets hurt often.

Kevin Ku
Skateboarder
After I started practicing skateboarding, I thought with this extreme sport, others may think it’s impossible for me, but I’ve surmounted the challenge. This gave me a sense of courage for life, and made me think that I may have physical disabilities, but as long as I have the courage to do things, it’ll be a great personal challenge I’ll love.

From her initial hesitation to full support, Ku’s mother has become his Number One fan and his “Instagram mother” capturing every routine.

Lo Ming-huei
Ku’s mother
I know that a mother that worries too much will actually make the child timid; while a mother that has confidence can actually help them gain more courage to try whatever they want to try.

Ku is also a top student at the very competitive Chien Kuo High School. Let’s follow them and see what it’s really like.

He’s now a 12th grader and has his own setup at the back of the classroom. Because his optic nerves have also deteriorated, he only has 0.1 vision even with glasses on. In class, he needs a video magnifier to see what’s being written on the blackboard.

Kevin Ku
Skateboarder
Sometimes on the corner of the blackboard, there’ll be tiny writing that can normally be seen with the naked eye, but for me there’s only a white blob. So I use a video magnifier for assistance, and when needed, I’ll take some relevant notes.

Because his fingers have become deformed, he needs to use both hands to write. Even then each stroke takes every strength in him. But he won’t allow himself to be defeated.

Kevin Ku
Skateboarder
Actually I’ve always been hard on myself. I don’t know why either, but it’s my nature to dislike losing. I hope I can keep improving.

And self-motivated he is. It’s actually an understatement: Ku’s academic performance has stayed at least in the 96th percentile among all his peers. Being a fluent English speaker, he’s even volunteered to teach schoolchildren in rural areas online. He’s admired by many fellow classmates.

Chen Kuan-ting
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Many of his achievements are beyond reach for the rest of the class. I give any example, such as full marks for the TOEIC test or 8.0 for the IELTS, or even the Presidential Education Award. All these achievements, even those of us without disabilities cannot do it. I think this spirit of never giving up, I really admire it greatly.

To his classmates, Ku is more resilient and determined than anyone else. He’ll tackle any challenge that comes his way. In 11th Grade, because there wasn’t a school club for students with disabilities, he started one with other Minecraft fans. The Minecraft club was an immediate hit.

Wu Tsung-hsuan
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We thought it’d already be great to have around a dozen to join, and if there are 20 to 30 people we’d secretly be over the moon. But wow, we ended up with a full house of 40 registrations.

The boys never run out of conversations. Even being bound to the wheelchair does not stop him from making friends. But he says like many others with disabilities, this didn’t used to be the case.

Kevin Ku
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Actually back in middle school I didn’t have many friends, and to some extent I was also self-conscious.

And because of that, he used to keep to himself, until a stern reminder from his father.

Ku Pu
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I told him, “If you don’t approach others, you can’t expect others to approach you. So if you’re just sitting there waiting for someone to approach you, you’ll become marginalized very easily.” So starting from high school he really began to put in the effort.

Kevin Ku
Skateboarder
I had an epiphany. I may have limited mobility, I may have to use a wheelchair, but even then I’ll push my wheelchair next to others, and try join in their conversation, even for just a word or two.

And others started to join him too. They play table tennis with him as equals. Nothing can stop him.

A classmate puts down another wheelchair for a gentlemen’s game. And no, it’s not staged. This is a genuine depiction of their camaraderie.

Here he’s editing a video behind the desk. Like many youngsters, he enjoys making video content for social media. He’s made clips of skateboarding and study tips. For Ku, ideas are everywhere.

Kevin Ku
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Many Chien Kuo High School students are more than just top academic performers. I hope to show a different side to us. Many people also commented, after seeing my videos, that they didn’t know Chien Kuo students could be so interesting, we’re not just studious nerds.

This year he passed the university entrance exam with flying colors. For the five subjects in the test, he got full marks for four, and near-perfect score for the other one.

What is life but a series of challenges? Here a young boy shows even his disabilities cannot weaken his resolve. By overcoming the limits of his flesh, life is truly full of possibilities.

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