William Stanton
Encyclopedia
William A. "Bill" Stanton (traditional Chinese:司徒文), a United States
career diplomat
, is the current Director of the American Institute in Taiwan
, Taipei
Office. His tenure began on August 28, 2009. The position that serves as de facto U.S. ambassador to Taiwan because the two countries do not have formal diplomatic ties, a necessity in order for the United States to have formal diplomatic relations
with the People's Republic of China
.
Stanton was Chargé d'Affaires ad interim (acting Ambassador) to Australia
from 2005 to 2006. He assumed this position on the departure of Ambassador Tom Schieffer
in January 2005. He was assigned as Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy in Canberra
in July 2003. Stanton left Canberra in 2006 and was appointed Deputy Chief of Mission in Seoul
, Republic of Korea.
A career diplomat, Stanton joined the US State Department in 1978, and has also served in Beijing
, Islamabad
, and Beirut
and in senior positions in the State Department, most recently as Director of the Office of Egypt
ian and North Africa
n Affairs (2001–2003) and as Director of the Office of UN Political Affairs (1999–2001).
He earned a B.A.
magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Fordham University
. His M.A.
and a Ph.D.
(1978) in English literature
were both from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
. He can speak Mandarin Chinese.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
career diplomat
Diplomat
A diplomat is a person appointed by a state to conduct diplomacy with another state or international organization. The main functions of diplomats revolve around the representation and protection of the interests and nationals of the sending state, as well as the promotion of information and...
, is the current Director of the American Institute in Taiwan
American Institute in Taiwan
The American Institute in Taiwan is a non-profit, public corporation established under the auspices of the United States government to serve its interests in Taiwan...
, Taipei
Taipei
Taipei City is the capital of the Republic of China and the central city of the largest metropolitan area of Taiwan. Situated at the northern tip of the island, Taipei is located on the Tamsui River, and is about 25 km southwest of Keelung, its port on the Pacific Ocean...
Office. His tenure began on August 28, 2009. The position that serves as de facto U.S. ambassador to Taiwan because the two countries do not have formal diplomatic ties, a necessity in order for the United States to have formal diplomatic relations
Sino-American relations
For the article on U.S.-Taiwan relations, see Republic of China – United States relations.Sino-American or People's Republic of China–United States relations refers to international relations between the United States of America and the government of People's Republic of China...
with the People's Republic of China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
.
Stanton was Chargé d'Affaires ad interim (acting Ambassador) to Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
from 2005 to 2006. He assumed this position on the departure of Ambassador Tom Schieffer
Tom Schieffer
John Thomas Schieffer, known as Tom Schieffer , is an American diplomat who served as U.S. Ambassador to Japan from 2005 to 2009 and as U.S. Ambassador to Australia from 2001 to 2005. Schieffer is a friend and former business partner of President George W. Bush. He is the younger brother of Bob...
in January 2005. He was assigned as Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy in Canberra
Canberra
Canberra is the capital city of Australia. With a population of over 345,000, it is Australia's largest inland city and the eighth-largest city overall. The city is located at the northern end of the Australian Capital Territory , south-west of Sydney, and north-east of Melbourne...
in July 2003. Stanton left Canberra in 2006 and was appointed Deputy Chief of Mission in Seoul
Seoul
Seoul , officially the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea. A megacity with a population of over 10 million, it is the largest city proper in the OECD developed world...
, Republic of Korea.
A career diplomat, Stanton joined the US State Department in 1978, and has also served in Beijing
Beijing
Beijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's...
, Islamabad
Islamabad
Islamabad is the capital of Pakistan and the tenth largest city in the country. Located within the Islamabad Capital Territory , the population of the city has grown from 100,000 in 1951 to 1.7 million in 2011...
, and Beirut
Beirut
Beirut is the capital and largest city of Lebanon, with a population ranging from 1 million to more than 2 million . Located on a peninsula at the midpoint of Lebanon's Mediterranean coastline, it serves as the country's largest and main seaport, and also forms the Beirut Metropolitan...
and in senior positions in the State Department, most recently as Director of the Office of Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
ian and North Africa
North Africa
North Africa or Northern Africa is the northernmost region of the African continent, linked by the Sahara to Sub-Saharan Africa. Geopolitically, the United Nations definition of Northern Africa includes eight countries or territories; Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, South Sudan, Sudan, Tunisia, and...
n Affairs (2001–2003) and as Director of the Office of UN Political Affairs (1999–2001).
He earned a B.A.
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Fordham University
Fordham University
Fordham University is a private, nonprofit, coeducational research university in the United States, with three campuses in and around New York City. It was founded by the Roman Catholic Diocese of New York in 1841 as St...
. His M.A.
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
and a Ph.D.
Ph.D.
A Ph.D. is a Doctor of Philosophy, an academic degree.Ph.D. may also refer to:* Ph.D. , a 1980s British group*Piled Higher and Deeper, a web comic strip*PhD: Phantasy Degree, a Korean comic series* PhD Docbook renderer, an XML renderer...
(1978) in English literature
English literature
English literature is the literature written in the English language, including literature composed in English by writers not necessarily from England; for example, Robert Burns was Scottish, James Joyce was Irish, Joseph Conrad was Polish, Dylan Thomas was Welsh, Edgar Allan Poe was American, J....
were both from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public research university located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States...
. He can speak Mandarin Chinese.