Lai Marks 250th US Anniversary in Taipei, Links Taiwan Democracy to Future of US Ties

The Taiwan president tied America’s founding, Taiwan’s first direct presidential election, and semiconductor cooperation to the future of U.S.-Taiwan relations.

On May 27, 2026, Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te (L), along with with AIT Director Raymond Greene, at an event hosted by the American Institute in Taiwan to celebrate the United States' 250th anniversary, congratulates the American people on their Independence Day. Wang Yu Ching/Office of the Taiwan President

Taiwan President Lai Ching-te marked the coming 250th anniversary of American independence at a reception hosted by the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), linking America’s founding ideals, Taiwan’s democratic development, and the future of economic and security cooperation between Taipei and Washington.

The May 27 reception in Taipei brought Lai together with AIT Director Raymond Greene, Legislative Yuan Speaker Han Kuo-yu, senior Taiwan officials, foreign diplomats, and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) founder Morris Chang. The event was hosted by AIT, Washington’s de facto embassy in Taiwan, as part of its “Freedom 250” program ahead of the July 4 U.S. Independence Day anniversary.