AIT Director Bids Farewell to Taiwan Friends|梅健華將離任:返美繼續為台加油

American Institute in Taiwan Director Kin Moy joked with attendees at a press conference on July 6. He is scheduled to leave his post and return to the United States shortly. Prior to his departure, he convened a press conference to thank his colleagues and share his impressions of Taiwan during his three-year stay. He said he thinks Taiwan's people are very warm, and he will miss them. Several days ago, Moy jokingly expressed an interest in the National Taiwan University presidential vacancy. During the press conference, he clarified he was only joking.

The media the other day, and they were reporting that I might be considered for a job at NTU, but I think you all know that I was joking, I'm not nearly qualified enough to do such a job.

Moy also said his objective during his term was to make sure that Taiwan's people knew the U.S. is Taiwan's greatest friend. The media recently reported the U.S. is set to post Marines to oversee the security of the new AIT compound, and speculated whether this signified new progress in the bilateral relationship. Moy said the U.S.' policy has not changed.

In fact, there really is no change, in particular, since the last time I spoke about this a few weeks ago. These individuals are not overseas and the current ones who are here now in AIT are not sent here to deliver a political point. We don't do that as a practice.

Moy will be succeeded by William Brent Christensen. Moy said he and Christensen are old friends, and he is confident AIT will do even better under Christensen.