On the afternoon of May 14, Legislative Yuan President Daniel K.Y. Han (韓國瑜), accompanied by Ambassador Vincent Chin-Hsiang Yao, Representative to the United Kingdom (UK), led a cross-party delegation of legislators to visit the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), a UK-based think tank. The delegation met with Dr. Philip Shetler-Jones, Senior Research Fellow for Indo-Pacific Security at RUSI, and other scholars for an exchange of views.
In his remarks, President Han said that the cross-party delegation’s visit to the UK demonstrated the diversity and unity of Taiwan’s democracy. In the face of a rapidly changing international landscape, he said, democratic countries should further deepen exchanges and cooperation to jointly safeguard regional peace and stability.
Dr. Shetler-Jones welcomed the delegation and said he looked forward to gaining a deeper understanding of the delegation members’ views on relevant issues through face-to-face dialogue. The two sides then engaged in a wide-ranging exchange of views on issues including defense budgets, the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, and disinformation. Legislators from different political parties shared their positions and perspectives candidly, and the exchange took place in a warm and friendly atmosphere. Catherine Elizabeth Nettleton, former Representative at the British Office Taipei, also attended the discussion. She said that hearing the legislators present their respective views gave her a strong sense of the vitality and diversity of Taiwan’s democracy. The exchange lasted about one hour and concluded successfully after President Han presented a commemorative gift and all participants took a group photo.
In the evening, Representative Yao hosted a banquet for the delegation on behalf of Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Lin Chia-Lung. Minister of the Overseas Community Affairs Council (OCAC) Hsu Chia-Ching also attended the banquet. In his remarks, President Han said he was delighted to gather with friends from overseas Taiwanese communities and Taiwanese businesses. He thanked everyone for their thoughtful arrangements and expressed gratitude to overseas compatriots for their long-standing support for Taiwan and for continuing to serve as an important bridge between Taiwan and the international community. The banquet lasted about two hours and concluded in a warm and lively atmosphere. (2026/05/14)
