Taiwan Donates Masks to State of South Carolina
On behalf of the government of the Republic of China (Taiwan), Acting Director-General Daniel Hung of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in Atlanta donated 92,000 surgical masks to the State of South Carolina on July 7th to support the state’s front-line medical workers in their fight against COVID-19. South Carolina state government agencies worked together to ensure the delivery of the masks shipped directly from the Republic of China (Taiwan) to the South Carolina Emergency Management Division’s warehouse beginning on May 27.
The donation was presented Tuesday at the South Carolina Emergency Management Division (SCEMD). State agencies involved with the delivery, receipt, and warehousing of the masks included the Secretary of State’s Office, SCEMD, and United States Representative Joe Wilson.
Congressman Wilson presented a certificate of special congressional recognition “to the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Atlanta, in recognition of outstanding and invaluable contributions for the people of Taiwan and the United States. And I present this on behalf of the United States.”
South Carolina Secretary of State Mark Hammond said, “The Republic of China (Taiwan) and the State of South Carolina have enjoyed a fruitful sister-state relationship since 1981… South Carolina businesses, leaders, and students have reaped the benefits of commercial, cultural and educational exchanges. Now our physicians and sick will benefit as well. I look forward to more opportunities where our states can share ideas and experiences.”
Acting Director-General Daniel Hung discussed Taiwan’s international assistance throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, which has affected 190 countries and regions. Taiwan has donated more than 50 million medical masks to heavily affected areas, 10 million of which went to the United States. He also expressed his pleasure to donate 92,000 certified surgical masks to assist front-line medical workers as they continue to protect and serve the great state of South Carolina and its people. “It is [a] gesture,” Hung said, “to repay the Americans’ kindness and generosity to[ward] Taiwan whenever [they] were in need over the past decades. Taiwan and the United States are working together to make a difference.”
Special Submission from TECO & SCEMD