Director General Johnson Chiang of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in Chicago arrived in Chicago on January 27th, 2021. Director General Chiang extends his sincere thanks to the community leaders for their warm welcome and concern. He looks forward to working with the leaders and American friends to further enhance the existing friendly relations between Taiwan and the Midwestern United States and create a mutually beneficial win-win situation.
Director General Chiang said that Illinois was the home of President Abraham Lincoln, one of the greatest leaders in American history. President Lincoln laid the foundation for the United States to become a world leader in democracy, freedom, and human rights. Chicago is located at the hub of the Midwestern United States and is the third-largest city in the United States with abundant history, rich culture, world-renown universities, and as the birthplace of the world's first skyscraper - a sacred place for international architectural design.
TECO in Chicago represents Taiwan and its people in the 7 states of the Midwest US, with a total population of nearly 57 million, approximately 2.4 times that of Taiwan; and a total area of nearly 445,000 square miles, which in terms of land mass is approximately Taiwan 31.8 times; the total GDP of the 7 states exceeds US$3.4 trillion, which is 5.3 times that of Taiwan. It is self-evident that it plays a significant political and economic role in the United States.
The new director general is deeply honored to be assigned to the Chicago office at this time and feels an even greater responsibility on his shoulders. Director General Chiang asks the community leaders to keep supporting Taiwan, as well as freedom, democracy and human rights.
The new director general vows to work together with all colleagues and friends to expand business ties, deepen the friendship between Taiwan and the Midwestern United States, and promote political, economic, educational, and cultural exchanges between Taiwan and the seven states based on the solid foundation laid by past director generals and predecessors. He says that TECO in Chicago will spare no efforts to create a win-win and mutually beneficial relationship between Taiwan and the Midwestern United States. He adds, of course, we will uphold the spirit of service and provide the best assistance for the vast number of overseas Taiwanese and students in its responsible area.
Director General Chiang received his master’s degree from the Graduate Institute of International Law and Diplomacy at National Chengchi University and attended Harvard University for advanced studies. Before assuming the duty of the head of TECO in Chicago, he was director general of the European Affairs Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA). He also served as the section chief and assistant director-general in the Department of North American Affairs of MOFA. Director General served two times in the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in Washington, D.C., having served as senior secretary, deputy director of the Press Division, and director of the Political Affairs Division.
