A Conversation on Taiwan with Rep. Adam Smith and Director General Chen
March 22nd, 2022 5:30PM -6:30PM
In April 1979, Congress enacted the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA), which laid the framework for Washington’s robust but unofficial relationship with Taiwan, including a strong commitment to Taiwan’s security. China’s recent aggressive behavior—including mass atrocities in Xinjiang, bloodshed at the Sino-Indian border, and trampling Hong Kong’s autonomy—has contributed to growing concern about Taiwan as China’s military intimidation intensifies. With the U.S.-China relationship continuing to be defined by increasing tension, can the United States afford to maintain its policy of strategic ambiguity around Taiwan? Can it afford not to? And what are the lessons to be drawn from Ukraine? Join the World Affairs Council on March 22nd from 5:30-6:30 pm PST for an in-person discussion with Congressman Adam Smith, chairman of the House Armed Services Committee and a member of the Congressional Taiwan Caucus, and Director General Daniel Kuo-ching Chen of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Seattle.
This is a hybrid event - both virtual and limited in-person (SOLD OUT) tickets are available.
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About the Speakers:
Congressman Adam Smith
Now in his 13th term, Smith serves as the Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, where he is a strong advocate for our military personnel and their families. Smith is also committed to providing our military personnel with the best equipment available to carry out their current and future missions while ensuring that the Pentagon spends taxpayer dollars in the most efficient and effective manner. This includes carefully examining our current policies and working to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse.
Having served on the on the House Armed Services Committee since 1997, Smith formerly chaired the subcommittee on Air and Land Forces (ALF), which has jurisdiction over all Army and nearly all Air Force acquisition programs. Prior to serving as Chair of ALF, Adam chaired the Terrorism, Unconventional Threats and Capabilities subcommittee, which oversees the United States Special Operations Forces and counter-terrorism policy, among other critical areas. Adam has also previously served on the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.
Given his current and previous committee assignments and extensive travel, Smith has unique insights into today’s foremost national security issues throughout the Middle East, including the war in Afghanistan, as well as Northern Africa and our larger efforts to stop the spread of violent extremist groups and their ideology around the globe. Understanding the need for a holistic approach to national security, Smith recognizes the importance of poverty reduction, access to education, sustainable global markets, diplomatic engagement, good governance and other measures to enable our pursuit of stable international partners. As such, he has been a long-time advocate of strengthening American diplomacy and development as well as defense.
Congressman Smith sees a clear need to reform our foreign assistance and improve these two pillars of national security that have been under-resourced and underutilized for too long. He has supported efforts to reform American foreign assistance, introduced legislation to address global poverty, and created the bipartisan Congressional Caucus for Effective Foreign Assistance (CCEFA) with Congressman Ander Crenshaw.
Director General Daniel Kuo-ching Chen
Daniel Kuo-ching Chen is currently Director General of Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Seattle. Prior to this, he was Deputy Secretary-General of the Taiwan Council for U.S. Affairs(TCUSA)seconded to Foreign Minister’s Office. D.G. Chen served as Deputy Director in the Political Division at the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO)in the United States. He also served the Section Chief in the Department of Northern American Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), Republic of China(Taiwan)and was awarded the Model Civil Servant of MOFA in 2011. D.G. Chen served Senior Consular Officer in Taipei Economic and Cultural Office(TECO)in Seattle as well. He was a platoon leader as a second lieutenant in the Army of ROC and was awarded Excellent Mandatory Service Officer in 1997.
D.G Chen earned a Master of Science in Foreign Service (MSFS) with an International Business Diplomacy (IBD) honorary certificate from Georgetown University in 2000 and Bachelor of Arts with valedictorian in Diplomacy from National Chengchi University, Taiwan in 1995.
D.G. Chen is married to May Shih and together they have a daughter, Cheryl and a son, Sean.