英倫翻譯社/ Trsmaster

Taipei, Dec. 14 (CNA) The visiting U.S. deputy secretary of energy said Wednesday after a visit to a nuclear plant the previous day that he is impressed by Taiwan's efforts to maintain nuclear safety and promote carbon-free energy solutions. Daniel Poneman said after a meeting with Foreign Minister Timothy Yang that Taiwan's preventive measures to minimize the nuclear threat both before and after the Fukushima incident in Japan earlier this year are especially impressive. In addition to the country's nuclear plant safety, he applauded the strong cooperation between the United States and Taiwan in the field of nuclear security. The establishment of nuclear detectors at large ports, for example, can successfully intercept radioactive materials and ensure a safer society, he said. Poneman is the highest-ranking U.S. government official to visit Taiwan in over a decade. He has been in Taipei since Dec. 12, meeting senior government officials and business leaders as well as giving an address at National Taiwan University on energy cooperation. Poneman described the meetings he attended during his three-day trip as "robust, productive and fruitful" and he emphasized the importance of Taiwan's participation in more multilateral organizations and institutions. He was scheduled to leave for Japan later Wednesday to discuss nuclear energy and safety issues with officials there. Meanwhile, Yang told the media that Poneman's trip not only highlights the solidity of Taiwan-U.S. relations, but also demonstrates the great steps taken by both sides in bilateral collaboration over the years. His visit exhibits Taiwan's significant role in the Asia-Pacific region, said Yang, as he referred to a statement made by U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at a meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation in Hawaii last month, which stressed Taiwan was the U.S.'s important partner in economic issues and regional security. Although he did not reveal the details of the discussion, the minister said that both parties exchanged views on "important issues," citing subjects such as green energy and radioactive detection measures at sea ports. (By Nancy Liu)