依強化關係計畫 美國聯邦雇員有望入台灣政府機關工作

台北，11月11日（路透社）——美國在台協會週三表示，依據一項旨在強化台北與華府既有密切關係的新計畫，部分美國聯邦雇員將在台灣政府辦公室工作最長一年。TAIPEI, Nov 11 (Reuters) - Some US federal employees will work in Taiwan government offices for up to one year under a new scheme to strengthen already close ties between Taipei and Washington, the de facto US embassy said on Wednesday.

美國和多數國家一樣，與中國聲稱擁有主權的台灣沒有正式外交關係，但美國是台灣最重要的國際支持者與武器供應國，這一直是美中關係中的爭議點。The United States, like most countries, has no formal diplomatic ties with Chinese-claimed Taiwan, but is its most important international backer and arms supplier -- a persistent sticking point in its relations with Beijing.

根據新的「台灣學人計畫」（Taiwan Fellowship Program），美國聯邦雇員將接受最長一年的密集華語訓練與研習；該計畫經費來自華府2023年的《台灣學人法案》（Taiwan Fellowship Act）。Under the new Taiwan Fellowship Program, which is funded under Washington's 2023 Taiwan Fellowship Act, US federal employees will spend up to one year in intensive Mandarin language training and studies.

美國在台協會（AIT）在聲明中表示：「完成訓練後，預期這些研習人員將在台灣的立法院辦公室、部會、其他機關或辦公室，或台灣公部門以外的組織工作最長一年。」"Upon completion of training, the Fellows are expected to work, for up to one year, in Taiwan parliamentary offices, ministries, other agencies or offices, or organisations outside the public sector in Taiwan," the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) said in a statement.

聲明並表示，該計畫的主要目標是擴大並強化美台夥伴關係，以及美國官員對台灣的專業知識，但未說明每年將有多少人參與。The main objectives of the programme are to expand and strengthen the US-Taiwan partnership, as well as US officials' expertise regarding Taiwan, it added, without saying how many people would take part each year.

該計畫將建立一批具備語言能力、文化知識，並在「台灣各界建立持久工作關係」的聯邦專業人員。The programme will build a group of federal professionals with language skills, cultural knowledge and "lasting working relationships across Taiwan".

聲明補充，該計畫的合作備忘錄已於週二在美國簽署。The memorandum of understanding for the programme was signed on Tuesday in the United States, it added.

AIT執行理事藍鶯（Ingrid Larson）在聲明中表示：「TFP反映美台關係獲得兩黨強力支持，也反映雙方共同承諾維繫作為這段關係核心的民間交流。」"TFP reflects strong bipartisan support for the US-Taiwan relationship and a shared commitment to the people-to-people ties at its core," AIT Managing Director Ingrid Larson said in the statement.

1994年，美國國會為日本設立一項類似計畫，名為「麥克・曼斯菲爾德研習計畫」（Mike Mansfield Fellowship）。In 1994, the US Congress established a similar scheme for Japan, called the Mike Mansfield Fellowship.

AIT位於台北、規模龐大且宛如堡壘的辦公室，功能類似大使館。AIT's large, fortress-like office in Taipei functions like an embassy.

中國表示，台灣是其最重要且最敏感的外交議題，並一再要求華府縮減與台北的接觸、停止對台軍售。China says Taiwan is its most important and sensitive diplomatic issue and has repeatedly demanded Washington curtail its contacts with Taipei and end arms sales.

美國總統唐納・川普（Donald Trump）與中國國家主席習近平預定下週在深圳舉行的亞太經濟合作會議領袖峰會場邊會面，這將是兩人今年第三度會晤。US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are due to meet next week for the third time this year on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders summit in Shenzhen.

（班・布蘭查德（Ben Blanchard）報導；約翰・梅爾（John Mair）編輯）(Reporting by Ben Blanchard; Editing by John Mair)