Atlanta, October 2, 2025 – At the 114th Taiwan National Day Celebration held at the Georgia Aquarium Thursday evening, Jared Lin, the newly appointed Director General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Atlanta, outlined Taiwan's pivotal role in global technology and its deepening partnership with the United States.
Lin, who returned to the U.S. six weeks ago after previously serving in Washington D.C. in 2015, emphasized Taiwan's remarkable economic ascent. “When I came to the U.S. to work in our Washington D.C. office in 2015, Taiwan was the 10th largest trading partner for the U.S.,” Lin noted. “This time, when I came back six weeks ago, Taiwan had ascended to the seventh place with total trading goods volume amounting to $159 billion.”
Technology Partnership at the Core
The director general highlighted Taiwan's indispensable position in the global technology supply chain, crediting decades of U.S. assistance in the high-tech sector. Taiwan now serves as a major source of chips, machine tools, computers, parts, and servers — components Lin described as “the foundation of our modern-day life.”
“Without them, our smartphones will go dark, our cars will stall, and our planes would be grounded,” he said.
Lin emphasized that Taiwan is not merely a supplier but “a partner in innovation,” with U.S. companies collaborating with Taiwanese firms on next-generation technologies, including AI, 6G, and green energy. “Taiwan brings trusted innovation and advanced manufacturing, and America brings scale, markets, and the rule of law,” he explained. “Together, we are building robust supply chains, which means that the products made are cleaner and safer than before.”
Democratic Values and Bilateral Progress
Touching on shared values, Lin praised Taiwan's democratic system and its resilience against authoritarianism. “Taiwan is a democracy that is lively, equal, and free,” he said, adding that Taiwan's experience serves as inspiration for other countries facing similar challenges.
The Director General expressed gratitude for smooth progress in ongoing bilateral tariff negotiations in Washington D.C. and announced plans for government-to-government cooperation to bring more Taiwanese businesses to the U.S. His office will continue working with six states to expand business opportunities in the southeastern region.
South Carolina Deepens Economic Ties
Mark Hammond, South Carolina Secretary of State, who attended the celebration alongside South Carolina Representative Beach, highlighted the longstanding relationship between his state and Taiwan. South Carolina and Taiwan have maintained a mutually beneficial sister state relationship since 1981, partnering on business development, education endeavors, and cultural exchanges.
“Taiwan is the United States' eighth largest trading partner, and the United States is Taiwan's second largest trading partner,” Hammond noted, emphasizing the significance of the bilateral economic relationship.
Hammond, who has visited Taiwan twice, praised the Taiwanese people's commitment to democracy. “I know firsthand how much they cherish their democracy,” he said.
The Secretary of State announced significant recent economic developments. Last October, South Carolina and Taiwan entered into a memorandum of understanding to strengthen their economic cooperation.
Kentucky Official Shares Firsthand Taiwan Experience
Michael Adams, Kentucky Secretary of State, brought a personal perspective to the evening's celebration, drawing from his recent visit to Taiwan in June as part of a bipartisan delegation of Secretaries of State invited by the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office.
“This time is different. This time when I speak of Taiwan, I speak from experience,” Adams said, reflecting on his trip.
Adams described being struck by the devotion Taiwanese people have to their republic. “A healthy nationalism and pride,” he observed. Beyond the official schedule of meetings, events, and tours, Adams said his conversations with shop owners, desk clerks, and tourists reinforced “not just respect for my country, but a deep love of your own.”
The Kentucky official emphasized Taiwan's eagerness to increase trade with the United States, particularly in the energy and food sectors. “If your state produces energy or food, or like mine, both, then you need to be in the Taiwan business,” he said.
Adams framed the U.S.-Taiwan relationship in terms of mutual self-interest. “While there are sound moral arguments about why Taiwan matters to the U.S., Taiwan's people advocate ties from respect to mutual self-interest, and they are right,” he said. “Militarily, economically, and otherwise, helping Taiwan helps us.”
Cultural and Educational Exchanges
Lin highlighted growing educational ties, with increasing numbers of American students traveling to Taiwan through programs like Fulbright scholarships and Ministry of Education exchange initiatives to study Mandarin or pursue degrees.
He thanked political leaders across six states for adopting resolutions supporting Taiwan's participation in international organizations, including the WHO, ICAO, UNFCCC, and Interpol, which deal with healthcare, civil aviation, climate change, and criminal policing.
Remembering Taroko
In a poignant moment, Lin remembered Taroko, the beloved whale shark that passed away in April 2025 at the Georgia Aquarium. The whale shark, brought from Taiwan's waters years ago through close cooperation between Taiwan and Georgia, had become “a symbol of the connections between Taiwan and Georgia and even Atlanta.”
“Taroko has left us, but the friendship he represented is still swimming strong,” Lin said. “Maybe we can take a little inspiration from the whale shark — gentle, graceful, yet powerful. Just like the partnership between Taiwan and the United States.”
Lin concluded by expressing his commitment to deepening bonds in technology, education, culture, and shared democratic values. “Let us celebrate not only Taiwan's National Day, but also the friendship that makes Taiwan and the United States stronger together,” he said. “Like our precious whale sharks, let's keep swimming forward, towards a bright future together.”
