The US–Taiwan Business Council (Traditional Chinese: 美台商業協會; Pinyin: Měi Tái Shāngyè Xíehùi) is a membership-based, non-profit organization founded in 1976 to foster trade and business relations between the United States and Taiwan. Council members consist of private companies with business interests in Taiwan, and range in size from one-person consulting firms to large multinational corporations. Because the organization reflects the views and concerns of an extensive group of U.S. businesses, the Council is generally considered to be one of the most influential private organizations playing a part in the unofficial relationship between the two economies. The organization is particularly well known in the Defense & Security community, as it is the host of an annual US-Taiwan Defense Industry Conference. The inaugural conference in St. Petersburg, Florida in 2002 brought Taiwan's Minister of National Defense to the U.S. for the first time since 1979. Mandate The mission of the US–Taiwan Business Council – as defined in its bylaws – is to develop private economic, commercial and financial relationships, to foster investment, trade, and commerce between the United States and Taiwan. Services The organization provides a variety of services to its members, including: Consulting Tactical and strategic business advice to companies looking to get established, or to expand, in the Taiwan market. Advocacy work – on behalf of individual companies or on behalf of groups of members – can range from dealing with market access issues and equipment sales, to resolving contractual difficulties or attempting to change Taiwan government policies. eBulletins Weekly email bulletins examine recent US-Taiwan-China business, economic, and political developments. Issues covered include General Business, Finance & Banking, Defense & Security, Semiconductors, PCs, Intellectual property, and Biotechnology, among others. Analysis reports The Council occasionally publishes reports providing up-to-date analysis on events and developments that affect businesses operating within the triangular U.S.-Taiwan-China relationship. These papers and statements, which include editorials and research reports, are distributed to members when situations warrant. Events The Council holds conferences, seminars, receptions, and other events throughout the U.S. and Taiwan each year. The two largest events are the annual US-Taiwan Defense Industry Conference (美台國防工業會議) and the Taiwan + China Semiconductor Industry Conference. Tang Yiau-ming, Taiwan's Minister of National Defense, U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz and U.S. Assistant Secretary of State James Kelly attended the 2002 Defense Industry Conference in St. Petersburg, Florida. Taiwan Minister of National Defense Chen Chao-min attended the 2008 Defense Industry