A joint statement on Taiwan-U.S. cooperation combating COVID-19 signed March 18 signifies the latest partnership between the two sides. (Courtesy of Presidential Office)

Taiwan is set to work with the U.S. and EU on combating COVID-19, spotlighting the country’s commitment to science diplomacy and sharing its expertise with like-minded partners, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs March 19.
 
The Taiwan-U.S. Joint Statement on a Partnership against Coronavirus signed by MOFA Minister Jaushieh Joseph Wu and American Institute in Taiwan Director Brent Christensen March 18 states that both sides will seek to share best practices and collaborate on activities including R&D of rapid tests, medicines and vaccines; contact tracing techniques and technology; joint conferences by scientists and experts; and cooperation and exchange of medical supplies and equipment.
 
The statement signifies Taiwan’s continuing cooperation with the U.S. in the fight against the new coronavirus, the MOFA said, adding that sharing data and resources while utilizing cutting-edge techniques could help safeguard the health and well-being of people around the world.
 
This sentiment was shared by AIT, which said “the U.S. can benefit greatly from this partnership with the people of Taiwan.”
 
Yesterday also saw a tie-up between Academia Sinica and the EU announced by the country’s top research institution and Filip Grzegorzewski, head of European Economic and Trade Office and EU Representative in Taiwan.
 
According to Academia Sinica President James C. Liao, the organization is ramping up virus research, as evidenced by plans to build a COVID-19 open science platform featuring work from 15 domestic research institutes. The results will be shared with EU member states to help contain the spread of the virus, he added. (YCH-E)