On the afternoon of September 25, Legislative Yuan Vice President Dr. Johnny C. Chiang (江啟臣) met with a six-member delegation led by Senator José Luis Pérez Oyuela, former Chairman of the Colombian Senate’s Foreign Affairs Committee. He was accompanied by KMT Legislator Dr. Hsieh Yi-Fong, DPP Legislator Dr. Wang Cheng-Hsu, Deputy Minister Chen Ming-Chi of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), and Deputy Director-General Lu Chao-Jui of MOFA’s Department of Latin American and Caribbean Affairs.
In his remarks, Vice President Chiang first sincerely welcomed the delegation on behalf of the Legislative Yuan and its President Daniel K.Y. Han (韓國瑜). He expressed gratitude to Senator Pérez Oyuela for his long-standing support of Taiwan during his tenure as Chief Coordinator of the Columbia-Taiwan Parliamentary Friendship Group and as Chairman of the Colombian Senate’s Foreign Affairs Committee. Vice President Chiang noted that the delegation includes several influential senators and representatives, reflecting the Colombian parliament’s strong commitment and friendship toward Taiwan. He said that despite the geographical distance, Taiwan and Colombia are closely connected through coffee, flowers, and agricultural products: Taiwan imports significant volumes of high-quality Colombian coffee each year; as Pacific nations that share the core values of freedom, democracy, and human rights, both countries enjoy a solid foundation for cooperation among their governments, parliaments, and peoples. When Vice President Chiang mentioned the importance of coffee, Senator Pérez Oyuela presented him with premium Colombian coffee beans—a warm gesture symbolizing the close ties between the everyday lives of the two peoples.
Vice President Chiang further remarked that Colombia, rich in natural resources, endowed with a large market, and strategically located, is an important nation in Latin America. He added that extending bilateral exchanges between Taiwan and Colombia will not only enhance economic and trade development but also expand mutual cooperation in agriculture, energy, healthcare, education, and culture. He expressed hope that the legislatures of both countries will serve as vital bridges for people-to-people exchanges, using parliamentary diplomacy to advance substantive cooperation and bring the bilateral relationship even closer. Vice President Chiang further expressed his hope that the delegation would gain deeper insights into Taiwan’s society and culture through their visit, and that they would bring back the hospitality and friendship of the Taiwanese people, transforming these into tangible cooperation in the future.
Senator Pérez Oyuela began by expressing gratitude for the warm reception and recalled his 11 years of leading the Columbia-Taiwan Parliamentary Friendship Group, during which he consistently regarded Taiwan as one of Latin America’s most important partners. Senator Pérez Oyuela praised Taiwan’s achievements in democratic development, economic growth, and technological innovation; he also acknowledged Taiwan’s long-standing contributions to Colombia in agricultural technology, scholarship programs, medical assistance, and steadfast support during the COVID-19 pandemic—all of which have been greatly appreciated by the Colombian public. Beyond enhancing trade and expanding cultural exchanges, Senator Pérez Oyuela expressed hope for the reinstatement of a Colombian office in Taipei to facilitate practical cooperation and people-to-people contact. He added that he looks forward to welcoming a Taiwanese parliamentary delegation to Colombia in the near future to inject new momentum into bilateral relations.
One member from the delegation noted that bilateral trade between Taiwan and Colombia continues to grow, reaching USD 500 million in 2024, an 8% increase from 2023; in addition, more than 100 cooperation projects have already been facilitated for 2025, underscoring the strong complementarity between the two economies. Another delegate praised Taiwan’s democratic vitality, reflected in its voter turnout of over 80%, and highlighted Taiwan’s global leadership in semiconductor manufacturing, producing more than 60% of the world’s chips despite its population of only 23 million. The delegation noted that these achievements demonstrate Taiwan’s foresight and remarkable development. One delegate also added that Colombia’s abundant natural resources combined with Taiwan’s leading smart-healthcare and AI technologies could jointly create new opportunities for high-tech cooperation in the Southern Hemisphere.
Legislator Hsieh thanked the delegation for their visit and, drawing from her rich experience on the Economics Committee, emphasized the strong potential for cooperation between Taiwan and Colombia in petroleum, textiles, chemicals, and coffee, as well as economic and trade issues. She expressed hope that the meeting will help both sides gain a deeper mutual understanding and further strengthen avenues for cooperation and exchange.
Legislator Wang, speaking from his medical background, highlighted Colombia’s abundant healthcare resources and social insurance medical reform. He noted that both Taiwan and Colombia host international medical exhibitions, expressing hope that the two sides will participate in each other’s events and learn from one another. He also looked forward to expanded cooperation in medical equipment, public health, and medical technology.
The two sides then engaged in extensive discussions on topics including strengthening economic and trade ties, democratic development, the semiconductor industry, artificial intelligence, healthcare advancement, and natural resources. The meeting lasted about 70 minutes and took place in a warm and cordial atmosphere. Vice President Chiang concluded the meeting by presenting commemorative gifts and taking a group photo with the delegation, marking a successful end to the visit.
