Taiwan has proven to the world that it is an indispensable partner in the democratic supply chain, according to Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) in a recent interview with Japanese media. Lin says that as an important weapon for national defense, launching Taiwan’s drone industry is a top priority.

American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Director Raymond Greene spoke to the Liberty Times, saying everything the U.S. does in Taiwan is to make Taiwan stronger, safer, and more prosperous, and highlighting the democratic supply chain in areas such as drones and robotics.

A delegation of 26 drone company executives and U.S. government officials visited Taiwan in September last year, after which Lin led a delegation to Lithuania’s Drone Industry Business Forum in November. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hsiao Kuang-wei (蕭光偉) says these are the ministry’s efforts to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with democratic partners in the drone industry and match business opportunities.

The U.S. and Taiwan additionally signed an international development cooperation memorandum of understanding (MOU) in February 2024 to explore cooperation in areas including health care, women’s empowerment, information and communications technology, agriculture, climate, energy, small and medium-sized enterprises, and infrastructure. The MOU was signed by Representative to the U.S. Ambassador Alexander Tay-ray Yui and American Institute in Taiwan Managing Director Ingrid Larson in Washington, D.C., witnessed by U.S. International Development Finance Corporation and U.S. State Department representatives.

Hsiao says Foreign Minister Lin is using comprehensive diplomacy to strengthen economic and trade ties with global partners to prove to the world that Taiwan is an indispensable partner in the democratic supply chain. He underscored that Taiwan will continue sharing its experience with like-minded countries to further strengthen bilateral cooperation in the drone industry.