Taiwan is the United States 10th largest trading partner and the United States is Taiwans largest foreign investor. Our peopletopeople exchanges are flourishing. with over 20.000 Taiwanese students studying in the United States each year. In 2012. the first year that Taiwan was eligible to participate in the Visa Waiver Program. travel from Taiwan to the United States increased 35 percent. EVA Airways direct flight between Houston and Taipei will facilitate continuous prosperity and cooperation between the U.S. and Taiwan. As the airline also connects major cities in East and Southeast Asia. the direct flight service is expected to facilitate more business. tourism and leisure travel between not only Houston and Taipei but Houston and the entire region as well.