Vice President Dr. Johnny C. Chiang (江啟臣) of the Legislative Yuan arrived in Singapore yesterday (December 9) for a visit. In the afternoon, accompanied by KMT Legislators Dr. Cheng Cheng-Chien, Hung Mong-Kai, Lu Yu-ling, and Huang Chien-Hao, he visited the Surbana Jurong (SJ) Group. The delegation was personally received by Group CEO Sean Chiao, a Taichung native, who introduced the group's core values and philosophy. CEO Chiao highlighted that SJ Group is a world-renowned urban design company with over 70 years of experience, serving as a global consultancy for urban planning, infrastructure, and management services. The two sides engaged in an in-depth exchange of views on relevant issues. Vice President Chiang and his delegation subsequently toured the group's facilities, including the Vision Pavilion and AI Hub. The visit lasted approximately 90 minutes and concluded with an exchange of commemorative gifts and a group photo.
Following the visit, Vice President Chiang attended the welcome dinner for the 2nd Board Meeting of the 33rd Asia Taiwanese Chambers of Commerce (ASTCC) held yesterday evening at the Hilton Singapore Orchard, as well as the opening ceremony held today (December 10). The events were attended by a host of distinguished guests, including Legislators Cheng, Hung, Lu, and Huang; KMT Legislators Chen Ching-Hui and Dr. Lin Chien-Chi; DPP Legislators Dr. Chiu Chih-Wei and Ho Hsin-Chun; Representative Tung Chen-Yuan of the Taipei Representative Office in Singapore; Chairman Wu Feng-Shan and Vice Chairman Lo Wen-Jia of the Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF); Chairman James Huang of the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA); 33rd term ASTCC President Chen Shu-Chin; and President Johnson Hsiung of the World Taiwanese Chambers of Commerce (WTCC). Representatives of Taiwanese businesses from across Asia and the world also gathered to participate in the grand events.
In his remarks at both events, Vice President Chiang stated, “Where Taiwanese businesspeople go, national strength follows. Taiwanese businesspeople are the extension of our national strength!” He expressed that he was honored to represent Legislative Yuan President Daniel K.Y. Han (韓國瑜), the Legislative Yuan Republic of China, and the Association of Overseas Taiwanese Businessmen in extending the highest respect and warmest regards to all Taiwanese businesspeople. He noted that upon arriving in Singapore, he immediately embarked on a series of visits, underscoring that this trip was not only to thank the ASTCC members for their contributions but also to shoulder the mission of promoting bilateral relations between Taiwan and Singapore.
Vice President Chiang commended the efforts and contributions of ASTCC President Chen and her team since taking office. He noted that the ASTCC signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Taiwan Bar Association in July of last year (2024) to assist overseas Taiwanese businesses in enhancing their legal and trade expertise. Furthermore, in September of this year (2025), the ASTCC partnered with the Taichung City Government, Vice President Chiang’ s hometown, to sign a “Three-in-One Green Channel” MOU, facilitating smoother pathways for Taiwanese businesses returning to Taiwan. He emphasized that Taiwanese businesspeople serve as active and effective bridges, fostering trade cooperation and investment development between Taiwan and Singapore.
江副院長提到，此次會議選在新加坡舉辦意義非凡。他曾任8年的「臺星國會議員友好協會」會長，他見證了這些年來臺星雙方經貿及其他領域的關鍵發展，特別是2014年生效的「臺星經濟夥伴協定」（ASTEP）是臺灣與東南亞國家間的第一個自由貿易協定FTA，在該架構下雙邊貿易額逐年增加，截至去年雙邊貿易更突破了430多億美元。副院長也期許，未來除了FTA，也能推動「進階版的ASTEP協定」，不只是保障經貿投資，納入數位經濟，更要從此向外延伸至東南亞、大洋洲其他國家、直至全世界。
Vice President Chiang highlighted the special significance of holding this meeting in Singapore. Having served as the Chair of the R.O.C. (Taiwan)-Singapore Inter-Parliamentary Amity Association for eight years, Vice President Chiang said that he had witnessed key developments in trade and other fields between the two sides over the years. He specifically noted that the Agreement between Singapore and the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu on Economic Partnership (ASTEP), which took effect in 2014, was Taiwan’s first Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with a Southeast Asian country, and that under this framework, bilateral trade had increased year by year, surpassing US$43 billion last year. Vice President Chiang expressed his hope that beyond the existing FTA, an “upgraded version of ASTEP” could be promoted in the future, one that not only protects trade and investment but also incorporates the digital economy, extending Taiwan’s reach to other countries in Southeast Asia, Oceania, and the global stage.
江副院長續謂，他上（11）月率團出席假美國底特律舉辦的「北美洲臺灣商會聯合總會」理監事聯席活動，會後與美國國會議員進行會談，特別就「避免雙重課稅」議題充分交換意見，盡力為臺商爭取最大的利益。他相信臺商的力量加上國會的努力，定能成為大家在世界最堅強的後盾。
Vice President Chiang continued by mentioning that he led a delegation to Detroit, U.S., last month (November) to attend the Board Meeting of the Taiwanese Chambers of Commerce of North America (TCCNA). Following the event, he held talks with U.S. Congress members, specifically exchanging views on the issue of avoiding double taxation to secure the maximum benefits for Taiwanese businesses. He expressed his belief that the strength of Taiwanese businesspeople, combined with the efforts of the Legislative Yuan, will undoubtedly serve as the strongest pillar of support for the community globally.
江副院長讚揚臺商們展現「人飢己飢、人溺己溺」精神，縱使在世界各地發展，卻始終心繫臺灣。他強調立法院是大家的「娘家」，歡迎大家隨時回家，本次跨黨派委員共同出席活動，展現「支持臺商永遠是立法院不分黨派最大共識」，立法院會做臺商在海外發展的最強後盾。
Vice President Chiang praised Taiwanese businesspeople for demonstrating the spirit of “empathy and solidarity,” highlighting that even while expanding their businesses around the world, they have always kept Taiwan in their hearts. He emphasized that the Legislative Yuan is everyone’s home, welcoming them to return often. He added that the presence of cross-party legislators at these events demonstrates that “supporting Taiwanese businesspeople is the broadest consensus across all parties,” and that the Legislative Yuan will serve as the strongest supporter of Taiwanese businesspeople developing overseas.
江副院長最後預祝在座臺商聖誕佳節及新年愉快，「亞總」兩場活動在熱情溫馨熱絡交流的氣氛中圓滿結束。
In closing, Vice President Chiang wished all the Taiwanese business representatives a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Both ASTCC events concluded successfully in a warm and enthusiastic atmosphere of exchange.
