After arriving in Australia on March 8 and attending the welcome banquet for the 2nd Joint Board Meeting of the 32nd World Taiwanese Chambers of Commerce (WTCC) held at the International Convention Centre Sydney, Legislative Yuan Vice President Dr. Johnny C. Chiang (江啟臣) subsequently attended the opening ceremony on the morning of March 9. Guests in attendance included KMT Legislator Lo Ting-Wei; DPP Legislators Lin Chu-Yin and Dr. Loh Mei-Ling; WTCC President Johnson Hsiung and Chief Supervisor William Chiang; Overseas Community Affairs Council (OCAC) Minister Hsu Chia-Ching; Representative Douglas Yu-Tien Hsu of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Australia; Speaker Kang Yu-Cheng of the Kaohsiung City Council; Member of the Legislative Council Emily Suvaal of the New South Wales Parliament; Co-chair Anthony Roberts of the New South Wales Parliamentary Friends of Taiwan; and Taiwanese business representatives from around the world. The ceremony officially began with the singing of the national anthems of Australia and the Republic of China.
Following remarks by WTCC President Hsiung and the screening of pre-recorded congratulatory messages from President Lai Ching-Te and Foreign Minister Dr. Lin Chia-Lung, Vice President Chiang delivered remarks on behalf of the Legislative Yuan of the Republic of China. He said he was honored to represent the Legislative Yuan, its President Daniel K.Y. Han (韓國瑜), and its Association of Overseas Taiwanese Businessmen in traveling across the equator to beautiful Sydney, the jewel of the Southern Hemisphere, to extend his highest respect and best wishes to all Taiwanese businesspeople. He thanked overseas Taiwanese businesspeople for their long-standing efforts abroad in expanding Taiwan’s trade and economic presence, and affirmed that they are the best spokespersons for Taiwan’s strong vitality and resilience.
Vice President Chiang noted that although the world has faced many challenges in recent years, Taiwanese businesses have excelled at turning difficulties into momentum for growth. Their drive and resilience, he said, have not only brought them remarkable success in business, but have also showcased Taiwan’s vibrant citizen diplomacy to the international community. Vice President Chiang reminded Taiwanese businesspeople that Taiwan will always be their strongest support as they pursue success around the world.
Vice President Chiang also mentioned that holding this year’s meeting in Sydney is especially meaningful. Taiwan and Australia, he said, are not only energy partners with complementary trade and economic ties, but also share a solid relationship as natural allies. He said that the cooperation between the two countries has transformed from traditional trade into a comprehensive strategic partnership. In terms of industrial policy, Vice President Chiang noted that the Australian government is actively promoting Future Made in Australia, which closely aligns with Taiwan’s industrial strengths. Taiwan and Australia’s partnership in resources and technology will enable both sides to become core players in the Indo-Pacific industrial supply chain, leading to shared growth and prosperity.
Vice President Chiang added that Australia is a stable source of energy for Taiwan, and that both sides may further expand cooperation in renewable energy during the transition to net zero. He hoped that the Taiwanese businesspeople present could help serve as a bridge so that Taiwan’s strengths in hardware and Australia’s research and development capabilities will be able to create a powerful synergy. In addition, he said, young people in Taiwan and Australia have been conducting frequent exchanges, for example more than 200,000 young Taiwanese have travelled to Australia on working holidays over the past two decades. The experiences accumulated by these youngsters have broadened the vision and influence of both countries in international affairs and industrial development.
Vice President Chiang emphasized that the presence of legislators from different political parties at the ceremony demonstrated that support for Taiwanese businesspeople is the Legislative Yuan’s broadest cross-party consensus. He said that regardless of how the parties clash in domestic politics, the Legislative Yuan has never shifted its steadfast support for Taiwanese businesspeople, expanding citizen diplomacy, and seeking accession to international trade frameworks such as the CPTPP. Going forward, the Legislative Yuan will continue to maintain close interaction with the Australian federal parliament and state governments through parliamentary diplomacy, and work to secure a fairer and more competitive business environment for Taiwanese businesspeople.
In closing, Vice President Chiang said that although Taiwan and Australia are separated by the ocean, through the efforts of Taiwanese businesspeople, they are like close neighbors in terms of values and the economy. He added that the Legislative Yuan is like a home in Taiwan for Taiwanese businesspeople, and that they are welcome to come back often, with the Legislative Yuan always welcoming them with open arms. He also wished everyone a successful Year of the Horse filled with happiness, success, and prosperity.
Afterwards, OCAC Minister Hsu, Representative Hsu of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Australia, and representatives of the Parliament of New South Wales delivered congratulatory remarks. The opening ceremony concluded successfully after the guests in attendance witnessed the signing of two MOUs on academic exchanges and cooperation between the WTCC and Fu Jen Catholic University. (2026/3/9)
