Taiwan donates 100,000 Surgical Face Masks to the Commonwealth of Virginia
Post Date: May 19, 2020
Mr. Daniel D. Y. Chou, Director of the Consular Division of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States (TECRO), joined by Mr. Brian Ball, Secretary of Commerce and Trade of the Commonwealth of Virginia, and Dr. Jeffrey Stern, State Coordinator of the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM), announced on May 14 Taiwan’s donation of 100,000 surgical face masks to support frontline healthcare workers of the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Virginia Governor Ralph Northam expressed his deep gratitude for Taiwan’s generosity in his letter to Ambassador Stanley Kao, Representative of TECRO. Governor Northam indicated that Virginia has a great need for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and these masks will be deployed immediately to protect the frontline healthcare workers against COVID-19. Governor Northam is pleased to hear about Taiwan’s incredible progress in containing the virus and values the partnership between Taiwan and Virginia.
Director Chou in his remarks quoted from the U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who expressed his thanks for Taiwan’s first round donation of 2 million face masks to the U.S. federal government by stating that “During tough times, real friends stick together”. Taiwan and Virginia share longstanding friendship and cooperation. Taiwan cherishes its unmistakable, mutually beneficial partnership with Virginia. Taiwan stands together with Virginia in this difficult time to overcome the challenges of COVID-19. Today's donation is part of the third-round of Taiwan's international humanitarian assistance against the COVID-19 outbreak as more than 30 million good-quality face masks have already been delivered to support frontline healthcare workers globally, including over 6 million of them coming to the United States since early April.
Director Chou stressed that at the launch of the Taiwan-U.S. Partnership against Coronavirus on March 18, President Tsai Ing-wen noted in her interview with Time Magazine, “COVID-19 is a humanitarian disaster that requires the joint efforts of all countries.” As the world toils to fight the pandemic, Taiwan is doing all it can, and is willing and able to contribute even more to the global community. "Taiwan can help, and indeed Taiwan is helping." Taiwan is very proud to stand with Virginia during this challenging time. Together, we will win!
Secretary Ball thanked Taiwan and TECRO on behalf of the people of Virginia and Governor Northam for the very generous donation and pointed out that the donation comes at a time when it is very much needed for Virginia. He echoed Director Chou’s remarks and reaffirmed the longstanding cooperation and partnership between Virginia and Taiwan. Secretary Ball reiterated that the true measure of partnership and friendship was to help one another at the time needed. He hoped that sometime in the future Virginia would have the opportunity to return the favor to Taiwan. Also Dr. Stern thanked Taiwan's timely donation which can protect Virginia frontline workers fighting the disease. He indicated that Taiwan was successful in containing the pandemic disease and hoped that Taiwan would be able to join the WHA.
Taiwan and Virginia enjoy longstanding bonds. Bilateral trade reached $US910 million in 2019, and there are 269 Taiwanese students studying in Virginia. Taiwan signed a reciprocal driver's license agreement with Virginia in 2017, benefiting both sides and ensuring a robust relationship going onward.
