American Institute in Taiwan: Difference between revisions

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The '''American Institute in Taiwan'''<ref>The AIT's official name is "The American Institute in Taiwan" (including the word "The" - See the Register of Corporations, Washington DC records)</ref> ('''AIT'''; {{zh|t={{linktext|美國|在|台|協會}}|p=Měiguó Zài Tái Xiéhuì}}) is the corporate entity through which the [[United States]] conducts its relations with [[Taiwan]] and functions as a [[de facto embassy]] by the US.<ref name=statemagazine>{{cite web|title=A Solid Foundation - Celebrating 40 Years of U.S.-Taiwan Partnership |date=15 May 2019 |url=https://statemag.state.gov/2019/05/a-solid-foundation/ |publisher=Department of State}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Why China-Taiwan Relations Are So Tense |url=https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/china-taiwan-relations-tension-us-policy-biden |publisher=Council on Foreign Relations |date=April 18, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=35 Years Later: Assessing the Effectiveness of the Taiwan Relations Act |url=https://www.brookings.edu/events/35-years-later-assessing-the-effectiveness-of-the-taiwan-relations-act/ |publisher=Brookings |date=May 12, 2014}}</ref> It derives its powers from the [[Taiwan Relations Act]] enacted in January 1979 and is incorporated as a [[501(c)(3) organization]].<ref name=statemagazine/><ref>{{cite web |title=American Institute In Taiwan |date=9 May 2013 |url=https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/621049974/201602239349301525/full |publisher=ProPublica}}</ref> The institute was created in response to the country's establishment of [[Sino-American relations|formal diplomatic relations]] with the [[China|People's Republic of China (PRC)]] and subsequently termination of [[Taiwan-United States relations|diplomatic relations with the Republic of China (ROC)]].<ref name=statemagazine/> AIT has been headquartered in [[Arlington County, Virginia|Arlington]], [[Virginia]] since its inception in September 1979 and its branch office in Taiwan operates in a similar function to an embassy,<ref name=statemagazine/> with some sources referring to it as the U.S. embassy in Taiwan.<ref>{{cite news|title=The U.S. government has opened a huge new facility in Taiwan, and China isn't happy |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2018/06/18/the-u-s-government-has-opened-a-huge-new-facility-in-taiwan-and-china-isnt-happy |newspaper=Washington Post |date=June 18, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=US opens new $255m de facto embassy in Taiwan |url=https://www.ft.com/content/b92a361a-6dce-11e8-92d3-6c13e5c92914 |publisher=Financial Times |date=June 11, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=U.S. shows new de facto embassy in Taiwan amid China tensions |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-taiwan-diplomacy/u-s-shows-new-de-facto-embassy-in-taiwan-amid-china-tensions-idUSKBN1J72QS/ |publisher=Reuters |date=June 12, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=US de facto embassy in Taiwan reopens as 'symbol of strength' of ties |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jun/12/us-de-facto-embassy-in-taiwan-reopens-as-symbol-of-strength-of-ties |work=The Guardian|date=June 12, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Kazer |first=William |date=2018-06-10 |title=China Sets 'Red Line' for U.S. Ceremony in Taiwan |language=en-US |work=Wall Street Journal |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/china-sets-red-line-for-u-s-ceremony-in-taiwan-1528632003 |access-date=2023-11-20 |issn=0099-9660}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Horton |first=Chris |date=2018-05-31 |title=Don't Call It an Embassy: U.S. Gives Its Taiwan Ties a $250 Million Upgrade |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/31/world/asia/china-trump-bolton-taiwan.html |access-date=2023-11-20 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>The AIT director performs as a ''de facto'' ambassador on behalf of the American interests, like other U.S. envoys abroad, who is appointed by the [[Department of State|U.S. Department of State]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://fapa.org/issues/senate-confirmation-of-ait-director/ |title=Senate Confirmation of AIT Director |access-date=2023-12-02 |work=[[Formosan Association for Public Affairs|FAPA]] }}</ref> The institute receives funding and operational guidance from the Department of State<ref name=statemagazine/> and premise protection from the [[United States Marine Corps]].<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/2161922/washington-sending-marines-guard-new-offices-taiwan| title=US sending American personnel to guard de facto Taiwan embassy| date=2018-08-30| access-date=2019-07-20| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190720051748/https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/2161922/washington-sending-marines-guard-new-offices-taiwan| archive-date=2019-07-20| url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://m.focustaiwan.tw/news/aipl/201904030014.aspx | title=U.S. Confirms active military personnel posted at AIT since 2005 | access-date=2019-07-20 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190720050238/http://m.focustaiwan.tw/news/aipl/201904030014.aspx | archive-date=2019-07-20 | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.asiatimes.com/2019/04/article/marines-to-guard-new-us-compound-in-taiwan/ | title=Asia Times &#124; Marines to guard new US compound in Taiwan &#124; Article | date=4 April 2019 | access-date=2019-07-20 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190406162403/https://www.asiatimes.com/2019/04/article/marines-to-guard-new-us-compound-in-taiwan/ | archive-date=2019-04-06 | url-status=live }}</ref>
The '''American Institute in Taiwan'''<ref>The AIT's official name is "The American Institute in Taiwan" (including the word "The" - See the Register of Corporations, Washington DC records)</ref> ('''AIT'''; {{zh|t=美國在台協會|labels=no}}) is a [[501(c)(3) organization|501(c)(3)]] non-profit, private corporation incorporated and headquartered in [[Arlington County, Virginia|Arlington]], [[Virginia]] in September 1979.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Roberts |first=Andrea Suozzo, Alec Glassford, Ash Ngu, Brandon |date=2013-05-09 |title=American Institute In Taiwan - Nonprofit Explorer |url=https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/621049974 |access-date=2023-12-14 |website=ProPublica |language=en}}</ref> The corporation's [[Taipei]] office is widely considered as ''[[de facto]]'' [[List of diplomatic missions of the United States|diplomatic mission of the United States of America]] to [[Taiwan]].<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Kazer |first=William |date=2018-06-10 |title=China Sets ‘Red Line’ for U.S. Ceremony in Taiwan |language=en-US |work=Wall Street Journal |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/china-sets-red-line-for-u-s-ceremony-in-taiwan-1528632003 |access-date=2023-11-20 |issn=0099-9660}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Horton |first=Chris |date=2018-05-31 |title=Don’t Call It an Embassy: U.S. Gives Its Taiwan Ties a $250 Million Upgrade |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/31/world/asia/china-trump-bolton-taiwan.html |access-date=2023-11-20 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

The American Institute in Taiwan is considered as a quasi-governmental organization with the "instrumentalities of indeterminate character" by the [[Congressional Research Service]].<ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=https://fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/RL30533.pdf|title=The Quasi Government - Federation of American Scientists|website=Congressional Research Service|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180927095554/https://fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/RL30533.pdf|archive-date=2018-09-27}}</ref> The AIT was officially created as a U.S. government-sponsored nonprofit, [[private corporation]] established under the auspices of the U.S. government to serve its interests in Taiwan. Primarily staffed by employees of the [[United States Department of State]] and local workers, the AIT provides consular services normally offered by United States diplomatic missions, with the Great Seal of the State Department hung at AIT's main office in Taipei<!-- picture is shown below-->. The establishment of [[Diplomacy|diplomatic relations]] with the [[China|People's Republic of China (PRC)]] in 1979 required the United States to develop its own "[[One China policy]]" and subsequently to terminate official diplomatic relations with the Republic of China (Taiwan). The AIT now serves to assist and protect U.S. [[National interest|interest]]s in Taiwan in a quasi-official manner,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1980/09/04/for-us-quasi-embassy-in-taiwan-silence-is-golden/41ecf494-4968-49cd-b364-b54552c0dab3/|title=For U.S. Quasi-Embassy in Taiwan, Silence is Golden|last1=Beech|first1=Keyes|date=1980-09-04|newspaper=Washington Post|access-date=2018-07-11|last2=Times|first2=Los Angeles|language=en-US|issn=0190-8286|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180711192514/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1980/09/04/for-us-quasi-embassy-in-taiwan-silence-is-golden/41ecf494-4968-49cd-b364-b54552c0dab3/|archive-date=2018-07-11|url-status=live}}</ref> and also processes U.S. visas and provides consular services to U.S. expatriates. Following the swift passage of the 2018 [[Taiwan Travel Act]] by the United States, it now serves as a high-level representative bureau on behalf of United States in Taiwan.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/535/text|title=Text - H.R.535 - 115th Congress (2017-2018): Taiwan Travel Act|last=Steve|first=Chabot|date=2018-03-16|website=www.congress.gov|language=en|access-date=2018-07-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180711194956/https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/535/text|archive-date=2018-07-11|url-status=live}}</ref> It receives full protection from the [[United States Marine Corps]] as do all U.S. diplomatic missions.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/2161922/washington-sending-marines-guard-new-offices-taiwan| title=US sending American personnel to guard de facto Taiwan embassy| date=2018-08-30| access-date=2019-07-20| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190720051748/https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/2161922/washington-sending-marines-guard-new-offices-taiwan| archive-date=2019-07-20| url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://m.focustaiwan.tw/news/aipl/201904030014.aspx | title=U.S. Confirms active military personnel posted at AIT since 2005 | access-date=2019-07-20 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190720050238/http://m.focustaiwan.tw/news/aipl/201904030014.aspx | archive-date=2019-07-20 | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.asiatimes.com/2019/04/article/marines-to-guard-new-us-compound-in-taiwan/ | title=Asia Times &#124; Marines to guard new US compound in Taiwan &#124; Article | date=4 April 2019 | access-date=2019-07-20 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190406162403/https://www.asiatimes.com/2019/04/article/marines-to-guard-new-us-compound-in-taiwan/ | archive-date=2019-04-06 | url-status=live }}</ref>


==Overview==
==Overview==
AIT is a non-profit corporation incorporated in the [[District of Columbia]] on 16 January 1979<ref>[http://mblr.dc.gov/corp/lookup/status.asp?id=111506) District of Columbia Register of Corporations]{{Dead link|date=September 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> after the U.S. established full [[China–United States relations|diplomatic relations with the PRC]] on January 1, 1979. This model, with an alternative form of American representative office established in Taiwan after the diplomatic relations were severed, was based on the AIT's [[Japan–Taiwan Exchange Association|Japanese counterpart stationed in Taipei]] since 1972,<ref name="ADST Thayer">{{Cite web |title=Foreign Affairs Oral History Project: AMBASSADOR HARRY E.T. THAYER |publisher=[[The Association for Diplomatic Studies and Training|The Association for Diplomatic Studies and Training (ADST)]] |url=http://www.adst.org/OH%20TOCs/Thayer,%20Harry%20E.T.toc.pdf |date=1990-11-19 |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20190424141445/http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:xya-WzWY538J:www.adst.org/OH%2520TOCs/Thayer,%2520Harry%2520E.T.toc.pdf+&cd=3&hl=en |archivedate=2019-04-24 |access-date=2019-04-28 |url-status=live }}</ref>{{rp|52}} and was therefore referred to as the {{nihongo|''Japanese Model''|日本モデル|Nihon-moderu}}.<ref name="ADST Pratt"/>{{rp|140}}
AIT is a nonprofit, private corporation incorporated in the [[District of Columbia]] on 16 January 1979<ref>[http://mblr.dc.gov/corp/lookup/status.asp?id=111506) District of Columbia Register of Corporations]{{Dead link|date=September 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> after the U.S. established full [[China–United States relations|diplomatic relations with the PRC]] on January 1, 1979. This model, with an alternative form of American representative office established in Taiwan after the diplomatic relations were severed, was based on the AIT's [[Japan–Taiwan Exchange Association|Japanese counterpart stationed in Taipei]] since 1972,<ref name="ADST Thayer">{{Cite web |title=Foreign Affairs Oral History Project: AMBASSADOR HARRY E.T. THAYER |publisher=[[The Association for Diplomatic Studies and Training|The Association for Diplomatic Studies and Training (ADST)]] |url=http://www.adst.org/OH%20TOCs/Thayer,%20Harry%20E.T.toc.pdf |date=1990-11-19 |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20190424141445/http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:xya-WzWY538J:www.adst.org/OH%2520TOCs/Thayer,%2520Harry%2520E.T.toc.pdf+&cd=3&hl=en |archivedate=2019-04-24 |access-date=2019-04-28 |url-status=live }}</ref>{{rp|52}} and was therefore referred to as the {{nihongo|''Japanese Model''|日本モデル|Nihon-moderu}}.<ref name="ADST Pratt"/>{{rp|140}} A 2011 report by the [[Congressional Research Service]] said the institute was a type of quasigovernmental organization called "instrumentalities of indeterminate character."<ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=https://fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/RL30533.pdf|title=The Quasi Government - Federation of American Scientists|website=Congressional Research Service|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180927095554/https://fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/RL30533.pdf|archive-date=2018-09-27}}</ref>


Following the authorization of the [[Taiwan Relations Act]], the [[United States Department of State|Department of State]], through a semiofficial contract with AIT, provides guidance and "funds a large part of AIT’s operations." Like other U.S. missions abroad, AIT is staffed by employees of the Department of State and other agencies of the United States, as well as by locally hired staff. Prior to a 2002 amendment to the Foreign Service Act (Section 503 of the Foreign Service Act of 1980, as amended by the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Year 2003), United States government employees were required to resign from government service for their period of assignment to AIT. According to Section 12 (a) of the Taiwan Relations Act, agreements conducted by AIT have to be reported to Congress, just as other international agreements concluded by United States and governments with which it has diplomatic relations. Thus, while relations between the U.S. and Taiwan through AIT are conducted on an informal basis, the U.S. government still treats the relationship within the same confines as with other states with formal diplomatic relations.<ref>[https://chinapost.nownews.com/20130206-103177 New US diplomatic immunity pact a breakthrough: MOFA] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180706022015/https://chinapost.nownews.com/20130206-103177 |date=2018-07-06 }}, ''[[The China Post]]'', February 6, 2013</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=U.S. Relations With Taiwan |url=https://www.state.gov/u-s-relations-with-taiwan/ |website=state.gov}}</ref>
Following the authorization of the [[Taiwan Relations Act]], the [[United States Department of State|Department of State]], through a semiofficial contract with AIT, provides guidance and "funds a large part of AIT’s operations." Like other U.S. missions abroad, AIT is staffed by employees of the Department of State and other agencies of the United States, as well as by locally hired staff. Prior to a 2002 amendment to the Foreign Service Act (Section 503 of the Foreign Service Act of 1980, as amended by the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Year 2003), United States government employees were required to resign from government service for their period of assignment to AIT. According to Section 12 (a) of the Taiwan Relations Act, agreements conducted by AIT have to be reported to Congress, just as other international agreements concluded by United States and governments with which it has diplomatic relations. Thus, while relations between the U.S. and Taiwan through AIT are conducted on an informal basis, the U.S. government still treats the relationship within the same confines as with other states with formal diplomatic relations.<ref>[https://chinapost.nownews.com/20130206-103177 New US diplomatic immunity pact a breakthrough: MOFA] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180706022015/https://chinapost.nownews.com/20130206-103177 |date=2018-07-06 }}, ''[[The China Post]]'', February 6, 2013</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=U.S. Relations With Taiwan |url=https://www.state.gov/u-s-relations-with-taiwan/ |website=state.gov}}</ref>


Following the passage of the 2018 [[Taiwan Travel Act]] by the United States, it now serves as a high-level representative bureau on behalf of United States in Taiwan.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/535/text|title=Text - H.R.535 - 115th Congress (2017-2018): Taiwan Travel Act|last=Steve|first=Chabot|date=2018-03-16|website=www.congress.gov|language=en|access-date=2018-07-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180711194956/https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/535/text|archive-date=2018-07-11|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Locations ==
⚫
[[File:AIT NOC dedication ceremony - Flickr id 29162702328.jpg|thumb|Seal of the [[United States Department of State]] shown at the new AIT compound]]
AIT has a small headquarters office in [[Arlington County, Virginia]] with its largest office located in [[Taipei, Taiwan]]. The organization also has a [[American Institute in Taiwan Kaohsiung Branch Office|branch office]] in Taiwan's strategic southern port city of [[Kaohsiung]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://kaohsiung.ait.org.tw/2014-08-08-new-office-opening.html |title=AIT Kaohsiung Branch Office Moving to China Steel Building &#124; the American Institute in Taiwan - Kaohsiung Branch Office |access-date=2014-12-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141220074103/http://kaohsiung.ait.org.tw/2014-08-08-new-office-opening.html |archive-date=2014-12-20 |url-status=dead }}</ref> These three bureaus are referred to as AIT/Washington (AIT/W), AIT/Taipei (AIT/T) and AIT/Kaohsiung (AIT/K), respectively.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.ait.org.tw/en/ait-introduction.html |title=AIT - Introduction to the American Institute in Taiwan |access-date=2011-07-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721151322/http://www.ait.org.tw/en/ait-introduction.html |archive-date=2011-07-21 |url-status=live }}</ref>
AIT has a small headquarters office in [[Arlington County, Virginia]] with its largest office located in [[Taipei, Taiwan]]. The organization also has a [[American Institute in Taiwan Kaohsiung Branch Office|branch office]] in Taiwan's strategic southern port city of [[Kaohsiung]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://kaohsiung.ait.org.tw/2014-08-08-new-office-opening.html |title=AIT Kaohsiung Branch Office Moving to China Steel Building &#124; the American Institute in Taiwan - Kaohsiung Branch Office |access-date=2014-12-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141220074103/http://kaohsiung.ait.org.tw/2014-08-08-new-office-opening.html |archive-date=2014-12-20 |url-status=dead }}</ref> These three bureaus are referred to as AIT/Washington (AIT/W), AIT/Taipei (AIT/T) and AIT/Kaohsiung (AIT/K), respectively.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.ait.org.tw/en/ait-introduction.html |title=AIT - Introduction to the American Institute in Taiwan |access-date=2011-07-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721151322/http://www.ait.org.tw/en/ait-introduction.html |archive-date=2011-07-21 |url-status=live }}</ref>


The AIT office complex at No. 100 Jin Hu Road, [[Neihu District]], Taipei, was inaugurated in 2019. AIT/Taipei was previously located in the [[Daan District, Taipei City|Daan District]] on the former site of the U.S. [[Military Assistance Advisory Group#MAAG, Republic of China|Military Advisory Group]] headquarters before 1979. AIT has a branch office in [[Kaohsiung]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=AIT |date=2022-04-14 |title=AIT Kaohsiung Branch Office |url=https://www.ait.org.tw/kaohsiung/ |access-date=2023-08-29 |website=American Institute in Taiwan |language=en-US}}</ref>
The AIT office complex at No. 100 Jin Hu Road, [[Neihu District]], Taipei, was inaugurated in 2019. AIT/Taipei was previously located in the [[Daan District, Taipei City|Daan District]] on the former site of the U.S. [[Military Assistance Advisory Group#MAAG, Republic of China|Military Advisory Group]] headquarters before 1979. AIT has a branch office in [[Kaohsiung]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=AIT |date=2022-04-14 |title=AIT Kaohsiung Branch Office |url=https://www.ait.org.tw/kaohsiung/ |access-date=2023-08-29 |website=American Institute in Taiwan |language=en-US}}</ref>


⚫
A new $250 million compound for the American Institute in Taiwan was unveiled in June 2018, accompanied by a "low-key" U.S. delegation<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/12/world/asia/trump-taiwan-ait.html |date=June 12, 2018 |first=Chris |last=Horton |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |title=U.S. Unveils an Office in Taiwan, but Sends No Top Officials |access-date=June 12, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612134901/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/12/world/asia/trump-taiwan-ait.html |archive-date=June 12, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> According to the AIT the new complex represents "the United States's brick-and-mortar commitment to Taiwan."<ref name="Taiwan News 2019" />
For the purposes of remuneration and benefits, directors of the AIT hold the same rank as ambassador and, in Taiwan, are accorded diplomatic privileges in their capacity as directors.

Its counterpart in the United States is the [[Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States|Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office]].

==New compound in Taipei ==
⚫
[[File:AIT NOC dedication ceremony - Flickr id 29162702328.jpg|thumb|Seal of the [[United States Department of State]] shown at the new AIT compound]]
⚫
A new $250 million compound for the American Institute in Taiwan was unveiled in June 2018, accompanied by a "low-key" U.S. delegation<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/12/world/asia/trump-taiwan-ait.html |date=June 12, 2018 |first=Chris |last=Horton |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |title=U.S. Unveils an Office in Taiwan, but Sends No Top Officials |access-date=June 12, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612134901/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/12/world/asia/trump-taiwan-ait.html |archive-date=June 12, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> and several mid-level diplomats.{{Citation needed|date=November 2020}} According to the AIT the new complex represents "the United State's{{sic |nolink=yes}} brick-and-mortar commitment to Taiwan."<ref name="Taiwan News 2019" />


In 2019 director Christensen buried a [[time capsule]] at the new AIT complex in Neihu. The time capsule is not to be unearthed for 50 years.<ref name="Taiwan News 2019">{{cite web |last1=Tzu-ti |first1=Huang |title=AIT director buries time capsule for future successors |url=https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3747809 |website=www.taiwannews.com.tw |date=19 July 2019 |publisher=Taiwan News |access-date=20 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190720021210/https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3747809 |archive-date=20 July 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>
In 2019 director Christensen buried a [[time capsule]] at the new AIT complex in Neihu. The time capsule is not to be unearthed for 50 years.<ref name="Taiwan News 2019">{{cite web |last1=Tzu-ti |first1=Huang |title=AIT director buries time capsule for future successors |url=https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3747809 |website=www.taiwannews.com.tw |date=19 July 2019 |publisher=Taiwan News |access-date=20 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190720021210/https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3747809 |archive-date=20 July 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>
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*[[Stephen M. Young (diplomat)|Stephen Young]] (1998&ndash;2001)<ref>{{cite web |title=New AIT Deputy Director Takes Office |url=https://web-archive-2017.ait.org.tw/en/pressrelease-pr9832.html |date=1998-08-19 |publisher=American Institute in Taiwan |archive-url=https://archive.today/20190410184510/https://web-archive-2017.ait.org.tw/en/pressrelease-pr9832.html |archive-date=2019-04-10}}</ref>
*[[Stephen M. Young (diplomat)|Stephen Young]] (1998&ndash;2001)<ref>{{cite web |title=New AIT Deputy Director Takes Office |url=https://web-archive-2017.ait.org.tw/en/pressrelease-pr9832.html |date=1998-08-19 |publisher=American Institute in Taiwan |archive-url=https://archive.today/20190410184510/https://web-archive-2017.ait.org.tw/en/pressrelease-pr9832.html |archive-date=2019-04-10}}</ref>
*[[Pamela J. H. Slutz]] (2001&ndash;2003)
*[[Pamela J. H. Slutz]] (2001&ndash;2003)
*[[David J. Keegan]] (2003&ndash;2006)
*David J. Keegan (2003&ndash;2006)
*[[Robert S. Wang]] (2006&ndash;2009)
*Robert S. Wang (2006&ndash;2009)
*[[Eric H. Madison]] (2009&ndash;2012)
*Eric H. Madison (2009&ndash;2012)
*Brent Christensen (2012&ndash;2015)
*Brent Christensen (2012&ndash;2015)
*[[Robert W. Forden]] (2015&ndash;2018)
*[[Robert W. Forden]] (2015&ndash;2018)

Revision as of 10:21, 25 December 2023

25°1′56.81″N 121°32′22.41″E / 25.0324472°N 121.5395583°E / 25.0324472; 121.5395583

American Institute in Taiwan
美國在台協會
FoundedWashington, D.C. (January 16, 1979 (1979-01-16))
FounderHarvey J. Feldman (U.S. diplomat)[1]
TypeU.S. Government-Sponsored Nonprofit, Private Corporation
HeadquartersRosslyn, Arlington, Virginia
Location
Area served
Taiwan
ServicesDe facto embassy functions
Laura Rosenberger
Director, Taipei Office
Sandra Oudkirk
SubsidiariesAmerican Institute in Taiwan Kaohsiung Branch Office
Websitewww.ait.org.tw Edit this at Wikidata
Under authorization by the Taiwan Relations Act
American Institute in Taiwan
Traditional Chinese美國在台協會
Simplified Chinese美国在台协会

The American Institute in Taiwan[2] (AIT; Chinese: 美國在台協會; pinyin: Měiguó Zài Tái Xiéhuì) is the corporate entity through which the United States conducts its relations with Taiwan and functions as a de facto embassy by the US.[3][4][5] It derives its powers from the Taiwan Relations Act enacted in January 1979 and is incorporated as a 501(c)(3) organization.[3][6] The institute was created in response to the country's establishment of formal diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China (PRC) and subsequently termination of diplomatic relations with the Republic of China (ROC).[3] AIT has been headquartered in Arlington, Virginia since its inception in September 1979 and its branch office in Taiwan operates in a similar function to an embassy,[3] with some sources referring to it as the U.S. embassy in Taiwan.[7][8][9][10][11][12]The AIT director performs as a de facto ambassador on behalf of the American interests, like other U.S. envoys abroad, who is appointed by the U.S. Department of State.[13] The institute receives funding and operational guidance from the Department of State[3] and premise protection from the United States Marine Corps.[14][15][16]

Overview

AIT is a nonprofit, private corporation incorporated in the District of Columbia on 16 January 1979[17] after the U.S. established full diplomatic relations with the PRC on January 1, 1979. This model, with an alternative form of American representative office established in Taiwan after the diplomatic relations were severed, was based on the AIT's Japanese counterpart stationed in Taipei since 1972,[18]: 52  and was therefore referred to as the Japanese Model (日本モデル, Nihon-moderu).[19]: 140  A 2011 report by the Congressional Research Service said the institute was a type of quasigovernmental organization called "instrumentalities of indeterminate character."[20]

Following the authorization of the Taiwan Relations Act, the Department of State, through a semiofficial contract with AIT, provides guidance and "funds a large part of AIT’s operations." Like other U.S. missions abroad, AIT is staffed by employees of the Department of State and other agencies of the United States, as well as by locally hired staff. Prior to a 2002 amendment to the Foreign Service Act (Section 503 of the Foreign Service Act of 1980, as amended by the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Year 2003), United States government employees were required to resign from government service for their period of assignment to AIT. According to Section 12 (a) of the Taiwan Relations Act, agreements conducted by AIT have to be reported to Congress, just as other international agreements concluded by United States and governments with which it has diplomatic relations. Thus, while relations between the U.S. and Taiwan through AIT are conducted on an informal basis, the U.S. government still treats the relationship within the same confines as with other states with formal diplomatic relations.[21][22]

Following the passage of the 2018 Taiwan Travel Act by the United States, it now serves as a high-level representative bureau on behalf of United States in Taiwan.[23]

Locations

Seal of the United States Department of State shown at the new AIT compound

AIT has a small headquarters office in Arlington County, Virginia with its largest office located in Taipei, Taiwan. The organization also has a branch office in Taiwan's strategic southern port city of Kaohsiung.[24] These three bureaus are referred to as AIT/Washington (AIT/W), AIT/Taipei (AIT/T) and AIT/Kaohsiung (AIT/K), respectively.[25]

The AIT office complex at No. 100 Jin Hu Road, Neihu District, Taipei, was inaugurated in 2019. AIT/Taipei was previously located in the Daan District on the former site of the U.S. Military Advisory Group headquarters before 1979. AIT has a branch office in Kaohsiung.[26]

A new $250 million compound for the American Institute in Taiwan was unveiled in June 2018, accompanied by a "low-key" U.S. delegation[27] According to the AIT the new complex represents "the United States's brick-and-mortar commitment to Taiwan."[28]

In 2019 director Christensen buried a time capsule at the new AIT complex in Neihu. The time capsule is not to be unearthed for 50 years.[28]

Principal officers

List of directors

Director Oudkirk

List of deputy directors

  • William A. Brown (1979)[31]
  • William Wayt Thomas Jr. (1979–1981)[32][33]
  • Thomas S. Brooks (1981–1983)[34]
  • Jerome C. Ogden (1983–1986)
  • Scott S. Hallford (1986–1991)[35]
  • James A. Larocco (1991–1993)[36]
  • Christopher J. LaFleur (1993–1997)[37]
  • Lauren K. Moriarty (1997–1998)[38]
  • Stephen Young (1998–2001)[39]
  • Pamela J. H. Slutz (2001–2003)
  • David J. Keegan (2003–2006)
  • Robert S. Wang (2006–2009)
  • Eric H. Madison (2009–2012)
  • Brent Christensen (2012–2015)
  • Robert W. Forden (2015–2018)
  • Raymond F. Greene (2018–2021)[40]
  • Jeremy A. Cornforth (2021–present)[41]

List of political section chiefs

The Political Section, originally known as the General Affairs Section (GAS),[42][18]: 66  is led by a chief which is similar to a political counselor in other embassies.[19]: 2 

Chiefs, General Affairs Section
  • Mark S. Pratt (1979–1981)[19]: 2 
  • Stanley R. Ifshin (1981–1983)[42]: 73 [43]
  • David E. Reuther (1983–1985)
  • Joseph J. Borich (1985–unknown)
  • Thomas V. Biddick (1989– unknown)
  • Douglas G. Spelman (unknown)
  • James F. Moriarty (1995–1998)
  • Eunice Reddick (1997–2000)[44]
Chiefs, Political Section
  • Joseph R. Donovan Jr. (2000–2003)[45]
  • Melvin T. L. Ang (2003–2004)[46]
  • James L. Huskey (2004–2008)
  • David H. Rank (2008–2010)
  • Daniel Turnbull (2010–2013)
  • William Klein (2013–2016)
  • Christian M. Marchant (2016–2019)
  • Bradley S. Parker (2019–present)[47]

List of commercial officers

  • William D. McClure (1981–1986)
  • Raymond Sander (1987–1997)
  • William Brekke (1997–2000)
  • Terry Cooke (2000–2003)
  • Gregory Loose (2003–2006)
  • Gregory Wong (2006–2010)
  • Helen Hwang (2010–unknown)
  • Scott Pozil (2011–2013)
  • Amy Chang (2010–2013)

Kaohsiung

  • Robert Leach (2000–2003)
  • Steve Green (2009–2011)
  • Gregory Harris (2011–present)

See AIT Commercial Section

List of chairpersons

James Moriarty and Tsai Ing-wen

See also

References

  1. ^ "THE TAIWAN RELATIONS ACT -- PAST, AND PERHAPS FUTURE by Harvey J. Feldman". Archived from the original on 2010-01-15. Retrieved 2010-01-27.
  2. ^ The AIT's official name is "The American Institute in Taiwan" (including the word "The" - See the Register of Corporations, Washington DC records)
  3. ^ a b c d e "A Solid Foundation - Celebrating 40 Years of U.S.-Taiwan Partnership". Department of State. 15 May 2019.
  4. ^ "Why China-Taiwan Relations Are So Tense". Council on Foreign Relations. April 18, 2023.
  5. ^ "35 Years Later: Assessing the Effectiveness of the Taiwan Relations Act". Brookings. May 12, 2014.
  6. ^ "American Institute In Taiwan". ProPublica. 9 May 2013.
  7. ^ "The U.S. government has opened a huge new facility in Taiwan, and China isn't happy". Washington Post. June 18, 2018.
  8. ^ "US opens new $255m de facto embassy in Taiwan". Financial Times. June 11, 2018.
  9. ^ "U.S. shows new de facto embassy in Taiwan amid China tensions". Reuters. June 12, 2018.
  10. ^ "US de facto embassy in Taiwan reopens as 'symbol of strength' of ties". The Guardian. June 12, 2018.
  11. ^ Kazer, William (2018-06-10). "China Sets 'Red Line' for U.S. Ceremony in Taiwan". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved 2023-11-20.
  12. ^ Horton, Chris (2018-05-31). "Don't Call It an Embassy: U.S. Gives Its Taiwan Ties a $250 Million Upgrade". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-11-20.
  13. ^ "Senate Confirmation of AIT Director". FAPA. Retrieved 2023-12-02.
  14. ^ "US sending American personnel to guard de facto Taiwan embassy". 2018-08-30. Archived from the original on 2019-07-20. Retrieved 2019-07-20.
  15. ^ "U.S. Confirms active military personnel posted at AIT since 2005". Archived from the original on 2019-07-20. Retrieved 2019-07-20.
  16. ^ "Asia Times | Marines to guard new US compound in Taiwan | Article". 4 April 2019. Archived from the original on 2019-04-06. Retrieved 2019-07-20.
  17. ^ District of Columbia Register of Corporations[permanent dead link]
  18. ^ a b "Foreign Affairs Oral History Project: AMBASSADOR HARRY E.T. THAYER" (PDF). The Association for Diplomatic Studies and Training (ADST). 1990-11-19. Archived from the original on 2019-04-24. Retrieved 2019-04-28.
  19. ^ a b c "Foreign Affairs Oral History Project: MARK S. PRATT" (PDF). The Association for Diplomatic Studies and Training (ADST). 1999-10-21. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2017-07-03. Retrieved 2020-09-02.
  20. ^ "The Quasi Government - Federation of American Scientists" (PDF). Congressional Research Service. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2018-09-27.
  21. ^ New US diplomatic immunity pact a breakthrough: MOFA Archived 2018-07-06 at the Wayback Machine, The China Post, February 6, 2013
  22. ^ "U.S. Relations With Taiwan". state.gov.
  23. ^ Steve, Chabot (2018-03-16). "Text - H.R.535 - 115th Congress (2017-2018): Taiwan Travel Act". www.congress.gov. Archived from the original on 2018-07-11. Retrieved 2018-07-11.
  24. ^ "AIT Kaohsiung Branch Office Moving to China Steel Building | the American Institute in Taiwan - Kaohsiung Branch Office". Archived from the original on 2014-12-20. Retrieved 2014-12-20.
  25. ^ "AIT - Introduction to the American Institute in Taiwan". Archived from the original on 2011-07-21. Retrieved 2011-07-25.
  26. ^ AIT (2022-04-14). "AIT Kaohsiung Branch Office". American Institute in Taiwan. Retrieved 2023-08-29.
  27. ^ Horton, Chris (June 12, 2018). "U.S. Unveils an Office in Taiwan, but Sends No Top Officials". The New York Times. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved June 12, 2018.
  28. ^ a b Tzu-ti, Huang (19 July 2019). "AIT director buries time capsule for future successors". www.taiwannews.com.tw. Taiwan News. Archived from the original on 20 July 2019. Retrieved 20 July 2019.
  29. ^ 總統贈勳並接見美國在台協會理事主席薄瑞光. Office of the President of the Republic of China (Taiwan) (in Chinese (Taiwan)). 19 May 2008. Retrieved 4 April 2020. 陳總統水扁先生今天上午代表我國政府與人民頒贈美國在台協會理事主席薄瑞光（Raymond F. Burghardt）「大綬卿雲勳章」，以表彰他致力於促進台灣與美國之間友好關係所作的卓越貢獻。
  30. ^ "Director - Sandra Oudkirk". American Institute in Taiwan. Archived from the original on 2021-07-14. Retrieved 2021-07-23.
  31. ^ "美國在台協會 浦為廉副處長 結束在華任期" [AIT Deputy Director William Brown ends his tenure in the ROC]. United Daily News. 1979-09-04. p. 02.
  32. ^ "Foreign Affairs Oral History Project: JOHN J. TKACIK, JR" (PDF). The Association for Diplomatic Studies and Training (ADST). 2001-03-23. p. 52. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2019-04-28.
  33. ^ "Foreign Affairs Oral History Project: WILLIAM W. THOMAS, JR". The Association for Diplomatic Studies and Training (ADST). 1994-05-31. p. 46. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2019-04-28.
  34. ^ David Kirkpatrick Este Bruce (2001). Window on the Forbidden City: The Beijing Diaries of David Bruce, 1973-1974. Centre of Asian Studies, University of Hong Kong. p. 549. ISBN 978-9628269341.
  35. ^ "AIT Announces New Deputy Director". West & East, an independent monthly. 31. Sino-American Cultural and Economic Association: 15. 1986. Archived from the original on 2019-04-11.
  36. ^ "BIOGRAPHY James A. Larocco: Ambassador to the State of Kuwait". U.S. Department of State. 1997. Archived from the original on 2018-06-12.
  37. ^ "BIOGRAPHY Christopher J. LaFleur: Ambassador, Malaysia". U.S. Department of State. 2005-01-04. Archived from the original on 2019-04-11.
  38. ^ "New Dean brings wealth of experience from Asia-Pacific". Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies. 2010-09-02. Archived from the original on 2019-04-24.
  39. ^ "New AIT Deputy Director Takes Office". American Institute in Taiwan. 1998-08-19. Archived from the original on 2019-04-10.
  40. ^ "曾派駐台北 谷立言接任Ait副處長 | 政治 | 要聞 | 聯合新聞網". Archived from the original on 2018-06-24. Retrieved 2018-06-24.
  41. ^ "Deputy Director - Jeremy Cornforth". American Institute in Taiwan. Archived from the original on 2021-08-09. Retrieved 2021-07-23.
  42. ^ a b "Foreign Affairs Oral History Project: HARVEY FELDMAN" (PDF). The Association for Diplomatic Studies and Training (ADST). 1999-03-11. p. 61. Archived from the original on 2019-04-24. Retrieved 2019-04-28.
  43. ^ "Philippines" (PDF). The Association for Diplomatic Studies and Training (ADST). 2001. p. 417. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2016-05-03. Retrieved 2016-05-03.
  44. ^ BIOGRAPHY Eunice S. Reddick Ambassador, Republic of Gabon, Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe, U.S. Department of State, 2007-11-27, archived from the original on 2019-04-23, retrieved 2019-04-23
  45. ^ "Donovan Jr., Joseph R". United States Department of State. Archived from the original on December 21, 2018. Retrieved April 22, 2017.
  46. ^ "New AIT Political Section Chief". American Institute in Taiwan. 2003-07-01. Archived from the original on 2019-04-22. Retrieved 2019-04-22.
  47. ^ "Sections & Key Officers". American Institute in Taiwan. Archived from the original on 2021-07-23. Retrieved 2021-07-23.

External links

Library resources about
American Institute in Taiwan
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