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來源：美國在台協會臉書
https://bit.ly/3hubqLz
https://i.imgur.com/Rgm99A1.jpg
酈英傑處長給台灣人民的道別信



















雖然我將離開台灣，但台灣不會離開我。」

— 美國在台協會處長  酈英傑

信件全文亦可至AIT官網查看：https://bit.ly/2TSkLDF

A Farewell Letter from AIT Director W. Brent Christensen

"As my time as AIT Director draws to a close and I prepare to leave Taiwan, I
want to take this opportunity to tell you what this experience has meant to me
  It is not an exaggeration to say that this has been the honor of my life an
d the fulfillment of a career-long aspiration.

The first time I left my hometown at age 19, it was to come to Taiwan.  From t
hat early age, Taiwan became synonymous for me with the ideas of exchange and
understanding, exploration and adventure.  Taiwan represented both disorientin
g foreignness and unexpected opportunity, as I tried new food – like shuijiao
s and qiu doufu – and learned to navigate my way through streets crowded with
 bicycles and scooters.  And struggled to make myself understood with my rudim
entary Mandarin.  But all the while discovering the kindness and generosity th
at welcomed me wherever I went.

It felt appropriate for me to serve my first tour as a U.S. diplomat in the pl
ace that first sparked in me a lifelong interest in Asia – and in Taiwan in p
articular – and in cross-cultural understanding and shared purpose, or in oth
er words, diplomacy.  After that, my career took me to other places, but mostl
y still in the China region.  But the memories of my experiences in Taiwan sta
yed with me.  And finally having the opportunity to serve as the top U.S. dipl
omat to Taiwan was the culmination of all the years that came before.  It is c
lear that I have a lifelong connection to Taiwan, or “yuanfen,” that has led
 me to return again and again.

People often ask me why I have such a fondness for Taiwan.  “Isn’t it obviou
s?!” I always think.  But when forced to explain my affection for and profess
ional fascination with Taiwan, I usually come back to a few themes.

First, dynamism and constancy; progress and preservation; innovation and tradi
tion. Every time I return to Taiwan, I am immediately struck by the many ways
Taiwan has advanced as a society. Taiwan’s democracy grows more mature, its e
conomy more prosperous, its environment more cared-for, and its arts and cultu
re more vibrant.

Taiwan’s industry continues to set the benchmark for global innovation in som
e of the most sophisticated technologies, but at the same time, Taiwan society
 is remarkable for its stability and cultural continuity. Taiwan’s people, de
spite their relative wealth and stature, continue to be modest and unassuming.
 Taiwan’s most ancient traditions are alive and well. Cultural and historic s
ites are restored and preserved. Young people may learn calligraphy techniques
 handed down for generations, but then share their work on Instagram.

Second, for the United States, Taiwan exemplifies the intersection of shared i
nterests and shared values. Our partnership is about making sure our economies
 are beneficiaries rather than casualties of technological development and ens
uring that technological development advances rather than undermines our princ
iples. Our shared values of freedom, diversity, equality, and transparency ins
pire our efforts to build the resilience of democracies around the world. And
we continue to find new ways to contribute to global problem solving, both bec
ause it benefits our own peoples and because we share the belief that this is
what it means to be a good neighbor in the 21st century.

Finally, I associate Taiwan – and the broader U.S.-Taiwan relationship – wit
h hope, promise, and growth. This friendship has expanded and flourished over
the past 40 years; I believe every person who has done this job walked away kn
owing they left this partnership better than they found it.  I will similarly
leave AIT with a sense of accomplishment and success, knowing that the U.S.-Ta
iwan partnership is deeper and stronger than ever, and feeling immensely proud
 of my small role in getting us there.

But more than any of these things, I will remember the ways that Taiwan has to
uched me personally.  I will always remember my first Christmas in Taiwan – a
nd my first Chinese New Year.  I will remember the warmth of Taiwan friendship
, the faith of my fellow church members, the taste of a mango bing on a hot su
mmer day, the echo of “Fur Elise” from the recycling truck, the fragrance of
 jasmine blossoms in village alleyways – these are just some of the memories
I will treasure.  I will remember the long dinners with dear friends, full of
laughter and stories.  And I will remember their many kindnesses.  I will reme
mber all the ways big and small that you, the people of Taiwan, touched my lif
e and the lives of my family.  And for that, I thank you.

I may be leaving Taiwan, but Taiwan will never leave me. "

--- AIT Director William Brent Christensen

Read the letter: https://bit.ly/3hUrsgw

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