A Conversation with Ambassador Jason Yuan

Taiwan's Chief Representative to the United States will speak at USC.

Click here to view a video of the talk.

Upon his election in 2008, President Ma Ying-jeou dispatched Jason Yuan to represent Taiwan in Washington, D.C. Ma has just been reelected and in many respects Taiwan's relations with both the United States and China are stable and healthy. But problems remain, including Taiwan's desire for more advanced weaponry and America's reluctance to provide it. China's leaders appear pleased with  greatly expanded economic ties, but have not been willing to allow Taiwan to gain official or unofficial standing in most international bodies. At the same time, official delegations from China have resumed visits to Taiwan. These were stopped in the months leading up to the January election. Beijing Mayor Guo Jinlong's visit last week signals that economic and cultural discussions have resumed.

At USC, Ambassador Yuan will discuss U.S.-Taiwan ties and cross-strait relations.

Jason Yuan is one of Taiwan's most senior diplomats. Before becoming the chief representative at the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in Washington, Yuan headed the North American Affairs Department at Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (1991-1994), served as Taiwan's chief representative to Canada (1994-1996), as ambassador to Panama (1996-1998), and as director general of the Taipei Economi and Cultural Office (TECO) in Los Angeles (1998-2003). He also headed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs NGO International Affairs Office from 2003 to 2008.

Ambassador Yuan earned his undergraduate degree at the Chinese Naval Academy at Tsoying and later earned a master's degree at Southeastern University in the United States.*****

Other USCI resources on Taiwan:

• Taiwan Election 2012: Outcomes and Implications for US-Taiwan-China Ties
• Shelley Rigger, “Why Taiwan Matters”
• The Thaw: Taiwan and China’s Changing Relationship (Part 1 and Part 2)
• 2008 Taiwan Election Symposium 
• Election ’08 and the Challenge of China: Part 4, Taiwan and China’s Military Buildup
• Documents: US-Taiwan and Contemporary Taiwan
• Talking Points - symposium summary (Jan. 23)
• Talking Points - Taiwan/China trade