Lawmakers, Experts Discuss Possibility of Marines at AIT|AIT新館落成 統獨團體抗議隔街對罵

Hundreds of members of pro-independence and pro-unification groups also gathered outside the AIT complex during the dedication ceremony today. Pro-unification groups tried to present the AIT with a horizontal board inscribed with the words "in the nick of time" but were stopped by the police. Meanwhile, legislators argued over the new complex's security.


Protesters express their dissatisfaction with the American Institute in Taiwan outside its new complex on June 12. The AIT held a dedication ceremony for its new complex in the morning, which attracted both pro-independence groups and pro-unification groups. They were separated by a street, and shouted insults at each other. Pro-unification groups attempted to present the AIT with a horizontal board inscribed with "in the nick of time" but were stopped by the police. The police also confiscated two cartons of bottle rockets. There have been rumors that the new complex includes dormitories for U.S. Marines, and it has been speculated that the Marine Corps will oversee the security of the complex. Legislators say if this occurs, it will show that U.S.-Taiwan relations are stable.

Will they be assigned there in the future? I hope the U.S. will not use this as a gambit, or else it will lead to unnecessary fluctuations in cross-strait relations.

We hope the AIT will begin to adopt the standards of U.S.' embassies in its important allies.

However, military expert Song Zhao-wen, a retired Marine Corps colonel, says stationing Marines at the complex will give it the status of an embassy, which could in turn anger China. As such, it is not likely at the present time.

There are two options. One is to quickly distance oneself from this. The other is if the road to distancing oneself is blocked, forcing one to go on the defensive until the core defense is reached. The Marines will be responsible for this core defense.
Song also said reports that the construction took so long because tunnels connecting the complex with a nearby police station had to be excavated are false. He believes AIT will work with the district police force and private security to ensure the security of the complex.