The Branch Chief of AIT, Kaohsiung Branch Office Thomas Wong shared his experience at “Lectures of Excellence” of NUK

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【Translator:Yu-Yan Hsieh】

2023-05-18 The “Lectures of Excellence” of National University of Kaohsiung invited Thomas Wong, the Branch Chief of American Institute in Taiwan, Kaohsiung Branch Office to share a topic named “My Career as a U.S. Diplomat & the Asian American Experience”. 

What is the relationship between the United States and Taiwan? Thomas Wong quoted a speech by Sandra Springer Oudkirk, director of the American Institute in Taiwan, pointing out that the United States has rock-solid support for Taiwan, no matter in politics, economy or other aspects; Seven counties and cities complete assistance. As for the Kaohsiung Branch, they even provide complete assistance in the seven counties and cities south of Chiayi.

Thomas Wong received his bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from the United States Military Academy at West Point and his master's degree from the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies; he started his career in the U.S. Army, serving as a management consultant in the private sector after six years of service, and then return to government service. Joining the U.S. Department of State in 2010, Wong has served at the Taipei Office of the American Institute in Taiwan, twice at the Bureau of Western Hemispheric Affairs in Washington, DC, and at the U.S. Consulate General in Guadalajara, Mexico. From 2014 to 2016, he also served as the chairman of the Asian American Foreign Affairs Association of the State Department; in August 2022, he became the Branch Chief of the Kaohsiung Branch of the American Institute in Taiwan.

Then he shared his own experience. In the United States, 5-6% of the population is Asian. Regardless of race, gender, or religion, they can join the army; and May is AANHPI Heritage Month, which shows the tolerance of the United States for multi-racial.

Thomas Wong used ice skaters, U.S. official goodwill ambassador Michelle Kwan, and movie star Jonathan Ke Huy Quan as examples to illustrate the efforts of Asians in the United States to create various American values. During the epidemic, although Asian hate crimes occurred, the U.S. government and the people worked together to resolve such hate crimes, so that American society can move in a more perfect direction.

The Dean of National Affairs of NUK, Hsing-Hao Wu and Chief Secretary Shu-Tzu Chaung expressed their appreciation on behalf of the school and presented a certificate of appreciation, thanking Thomas Wong for coming and sharing.
 

 

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