Friday, July 02, 2010

AIT celebrates U.S. Independence Day

Taipei, July 2 (CNA) The American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), the United States representative office in Taiwan, celebrated the 234th birthday of the U.S. with a cocktail party Friday in Taipei.

"On July 4, 1776, our founding fathers came together and risked their lives for the ideals of democracy and freedom," said AIT Director William Stanton at the function. "Each year, Americans gather together in their hometowns with their friends, family and fellow citizens to celebrate the sacrifice of our founding fathers."

Stanton said while he was far away from his hometown of New Jersey, he couldn't think of a better place than Taiwan to celebrate U.S. Independence Day, as Taiwan and the U.S. "share similar goals."

"We are both democracies where the people cherish their freedom and have reason to be proud of all their accomplishments, " he told the guests, who included Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Timothy C.T. Yang, Legislative Yuan Speaker Wang Jin-pyng and Secretary-General of the National Security Council Hu Wei-jen.

In his remarks, Yang reiterated that both countries share the same values and traced his long friendship with the Stanton. Yang and Stanton both served as diplomatic representatives in Australia during the period 2003-2006.

Yang said that Stanton's knowledge of the local culture has contributed to the steady development of ties between Taiwan and the U.S.

The U.S. Navy’s 7th Fleet Jazz Combo entertained the guests at the party with selections of American music. (By Chris Wang) enditem /pc