TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu and Deputy Speaker Johnny Chiang met with the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Director Sandra Oudkirk Friday (Feb. 16), presenting her with a New Year couplet.
Post-meeting, Han wrote on Facebook expressing hope to establish good Taiwan-U.S. relations.
Oudkirk is the first ambassador Han has met since assuming office as Speaker of the Legislature. The 11th term legislature was sworn in on Feb. 1 and Han subsequently was elected Legislative Speaker.
During the meeting, Oudkirk, proficient in Chinese, instantly recognized the characters "dragon" and "fortune" on the couplet. Meanwhile, Han provided subsequent English explanations for the other characters. Han also presented Oudkirk with a kumquat, signaling good luck, during their meeting.
The reception was open to media for photography at the start, followed by a private meeting between the parties that lasted about 50 minutes.
