Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) on Monday paid tribute to veteran U.S. Senator and World War II hero Bob Dole, who died in his sleep a day earlier at 98.
In a statement, MOFA expressed deep regret about the former senator’s death and thanked him for his long-term support of Taiwan, saying it has asked Taiwan’s representative office in the United States to relay the condolences of the nation and its people to Dole’s family.
Dole served 35 years in the U.S. Congress, first in the House of Representatives from 1961-1969 and then in the Senate from 1969-1996. He was the Republican Party’s presidential nominee in 1996 and a very important friend and staunch supporter of Taiwan, MOFA said.
The heavyweight U.S. lawmaker played a major role when the U.S. Congress created and enacted the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA) in 1979 as a response to Washington’s shift in diplomatic recognition from the Republic of China (Taiwan) to the People’s Republic of China.
The TRA has since served as Washington’s policy framework for interacting with Taiwan politically and economically.
It was reported that President Tsai Ing-wen (???) spoke on the phone to former U.S. President Donald Trump after his election victory in November 2016 thanks to arrangements made by Dole.
Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel