After Less Than a Year in Taiwan: AIT Deputy Director Karin Lang Departs, Lin Chia-lung Praises Her Contributions to U.S.-Taiwan Relations

Karin Lang, Deputy Director of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Taipei Office, concludes her tenure today (31st), less than a year after arriving in Taiwan. AIT expressed deep appreciation and respect from all staff, honoring her exceptional career. Meanwhile, Taiwan's Foreign Minister Joseph Wu recently presented Lang with the 'Friendship Diplomacy Medal,' commending her contributions to U.S.-Taiwan relations during her short one-year stay, which have been widely recognized. He also expressed hope that the precious friendship between Taiwan and the U.S. will continue to deepen and endure.

Lang, fluent in Spanish and Mandarin, is a senior career diplomat with the U.S. Department of State, boasting over 30 years of experience in the U.S. foreign service. Holding the rank of Minister-Counselor, she officially assumed the role of AIT Taipei Deputy Director on August 8, 2025. Prior to this, she served as Coordinator for Cuba Affairs at the State Department's Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs, Minister-Counselor and Consul General at the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo, Japan, and has been posted in Havana, Bangkok, Taipei, Guangzhou, and Mexico City. She also held policy positions at the State Department's Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs.

AIT announced on its Facebook page this afternoon that today marks Lang's final working day. The entire AIT team expressed their deepest appreciation and respect, paying tribute to her outstanding career. Lang has served with distinction for many years, and AIT as a whole sincerely thanks her dedication, leadership, and her enduring compassion for others. Both within AIT and in the various locations where she has served, Lang has profoundly inspired and impacted countless lives.

Joseph Wu: Deep Collaborative Synergy Established

Meanwhile, during Lang's final week of work, Foreign Minister Joseph Wu presented the 'Friendship Diplomacy Medal' on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at a ceremony held on the 5th floor auditorium of the Ministry on the 27th. Wu recounted that the ceremony was attended not only by MOFA colleagues but also by many AIT partners who came in person to express their gratitude and best wishes to the departing Lang. He joked that it was perhaps the most grand award ceremony he has ever hosted, underscoring that despite Lang's short one-year stay in Taiwan, her contributions to U.S.-Taiwan relations have been widely affirmed.

Wu highlighted that during Lang's tenure, MOFA and AIT established a deep collaborative synergy. Whether advancing the 'Taiwan-U.S. Education Initiative,' deepening partnership under the 'Global Cooperation and Training Framework (GCTF),' or coordinating inter-ministerial cooperation, Lang was consistently actively involved. The recent U.S. Bicentennial 'Freedom 250' global lighting event, which included Taipei 101 as a participant, showcased the solid friendship between Taiwan and the U.S. based on shared democratic and free values—efforts behind which Lang quietly contributed.

Wu also mentioned a story Lang shared at the ceremony: her first public event upon arriving in Taiwan a year ago was the flag presentation ceremony for 'Diplomatic Young Ambassadors' at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Now, on the eve of her departure, she returned to the same place to receive this honor, adding special significance to the award ceremony. Lang reiterated her respect for Taiwan, praising it as a 'beacon of democracy' and a 'model of an open society,' and encouraged young staff at MOFA and AIT to continue working together to advance the Taiwan-U.S. partnership. Wu concluded by expressing his hope that the precious friendship between Taiwan and the U.S. will continue to deepen and endure through the efforts of many more people.