The appointment of Sandra Oudkirk as new director of the Taipei Office of the American Institute in Taiwan is welcomed, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs July 6.
Describing Oudkirk as a senior diplomat with considerable experience of Taiwan-U.S. relations, the MOFA said that she has advanced numerous efforts to strengthen ties and cooperation in the Asia-Pacific over her three-decade career.
Oudkirk visited Taiwan in October 2019 to attend the inaugural Pacific Islands Dialogue as well as the Yushan Forum. She also attended the Virtual Pacific Islands Dialogue on COVID-19 Assistance in June 2020 and the U.S.-Taiwan Partnership in the Pacific Islands meeting staged by Washington-based think tank The Heritage Foundation.
Such actions demonstrate Oudkirk’s staunch support for Taiwan, the MOFA said, adding that it will work closely with the new AIT chief to build on the foundation of cooperation established by outgoing head Brent Christensen and other former directors.
In a tweet on its official Twitter account, the MOFA said: “We warmly welcome the announcement of Sandra Oudkirk as new director of the #AIT's Taipei office. The @StateDept official brings a wealth of experience to the role, it's expected the #Taiwan-#US relationship will continue flourishing under her watch.”
Oudkirk is slated to take up the post when Christensen steps down this summer. She joined the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs as U.S. Senior Official for APEC and Deputy Assistant Secretary for Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands in May 2019. Her previous overseas work includes consular assignments at AIT during the 1990s. (DL-E)
Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw