Legislative Yuan Vice President Tsai Chi-chang receives a delegation

led by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi

Tsai Chi-chang: Taiwan is determined to safeguard its democratic and free way of life together with democratic partners from around the world

Legislative Yuan Vice President Tsai Chi-chang met with US Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi this morning. He was accompanied by Democratic Progressive Party Whip Ker Chien-ming, Kuomintang Party Whip Tseng Ming-chung, Taiwan People’s Party Whip Chiu Chen-yuan, New Power Party Whip Chiu Hsien-chih, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee Lo Chih-cheng, Secretary General Lin Jih-jia, Conultant Chou Ya-shu, and Secretariat Director Kung Ping-chieh. Also present were American Institute in Taiwan Director Sandra Oudkirk and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Harry Jo-jen Tseng.

Vice President Tsai first shared Legislative Yuan President You Si-kun’s regret at being unable to meet the delegation, having been diagnosed with COVID-19 following his return from a European tour. Tsai believed that even though Speaker You was not there, his heart was with them as well as with democracy and freedom. Vice President Tsai then stated that half a century before, US House Speaker Carl Albert had addressed the Legislative Yuan, followed 25 years later by Speaker Newt Gingrich. He then extended a warm welcome to Speaker Pelosi and expressed heartfelt appreciation to the US Congress for its concrete actions in providing solid support for Taiwan.

Vice President Tsai praised Speaker Pelosi as a leading light for her efforts to safeguard human rights. Those who cherish democracy and freedom will recall, he continued, that in 1991, she showed great moral courage in visiting Tiananmen Square, giving voice to those who had sacrificed themselves for democracy in a gesture that earned the wrath of the Chinese authorities. In 2017, she welcomed to Capitol Hill Joshua Wong and other Hong Kong activists campaigning against an extradition bill. Two years later, the US House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act. At the time, Speaker Pelosi said, “the United States stands in solidarity with the people of Hong Kong.” This encouraged countless people around the world. Vice President Tsai said that with Speaker Pelosi in power, those who pursue democracy, freedom, and human rights need never feel alone.

Vice President Tsai stated that having long helped communities repressed by authoritarian regimes, Speaker Pelosi stands tall among the world’s legislative leaders as a champion of human rights. In 2020, the US Congress passed the TAIPEI Act, prompting the Speaker to state that the US must “ensure that Taiwan has a seat at the international decision-making table, including at the United Nations.” Last year, when the House passed the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, she said that those who perpetrate such actions must be held accountable for their horrific practices.

Vice President Tsai mentioned that he is the Chairman of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Advisory Council of the Legislative Yuan. He understood that the Speaker has followed climate change issues closely for a long time. During her tenure, she established the Select Committee on the Climate Crisis to promote related actions. He then expressed hope that the two legislatures would have exchanges on this issue as well.

He continued to speak of the respect the Legislative Yuan had for Speaker Pelosi. For the 2021 Open Parliament Forum organized by the Legislative Yuan, Speaker Pelosi sent a letter stating that the US would continue to stand with Taiwan and defend the freedom, security, and human rights of the people of Taiwan. She has been instrumental in the House in promoting numerous bills friendly to Taiwan. In February, for example, she led the House in passing the 2022 America COMPETES Act, which, among other things, calls for negotiations on the renaming of Taiwan’s representative office in the United States.

Vice President Tsai then looked back on the key year of 1987 when Speaker Pelosi’s destiny became intertwined with that of Taiwan thanks to democracy. Now 35 years ago, her election to the US Congress began a storied career throughout which she has promoted democracy, freedom, and human rights. And it was also at this time, due to both internatioanl pressure and the formidable will of the people of Taiwan, that martial law in Taiwan was finally lifted. In the wake of this, a series of peaceful democratic transitions occurred. Comprehensive parliamentary reforms of 1992 gave way to direct presidential elections in 1996. Power was first transferred between political parties in 2000, and for the third time in 2016. Over this time, Taiwan has become a beacon of democracy for the world. 

Vice President Tsai stated that Taiwan is precious－a unique country that shows to the world’s ethnic Chinese communities that they, too, can enjoy democracy and freedom. Standing on the front lines in the fight against authoritarianism, Taiwan cannot struggle alone. When Russia attacked Ukraine, Europe and the world were put on alert to the expansionist intentions of authoritarian powers. We hope that the global alliance of democracies will stand with Taiwan. Speaker Pelosi’s fearless visit to Taiwan was a strong statement designed to consolidate and defend democracy and freedom.

Vice President Tsai went on to state that Speaker Pelosi is Taiwan’s true friend and that Taiwan is a reliable ally of the US. Taiwan will continue to defend democracy, freedom, and human rights with the United States and the global alliance of democracies and will safeguard our hard-won democratic, free way of life.

Before concluding his remarks, Vice President Tsai once again welcomed Speaker Pelosi and the delegation to Taiwan. Despite their tight schedule, he hoped that the visitors would experience the beauty of Taiwan and the warm hospitality of its people.

In response, Speaker Pelosi first thanked Vice President Tsai for his warm hospitality and for his kind words concerning the US Congress. She said all the achievements he had mentioned were the result of cross-party efforts. It was, she said, a high compliment from friends in Taiwan, and she accepted his sentiments on behalf of all her colleagues. She stated that there are three reasons for members of Congress to travel abroad: security, economy, and governance. The delegation consisted of members of different parties. She went on to express hope that the two legislatures would have more exchanges on national security, semiconductor chips, the economy, governance, climate change, and antipandemic efforts. Their trip, she said, was also in support of the US Indo-Pacific Strategy.

The two sides then exchanged opinions on Taiwan-US cooperation, the Indo-Pacific situation, the CHIPS Act, veterans’ welfare, climate change, and other issues. Vice President Tsai then invited all present to try pearl milk tea from Taichung and presented a Legislative Yuan gavel as well as an orchid butterfly by Franz Collection to the Speaker, inviting her to sign the Legislative Yuan’s signature book. The meeting concluded at 10:10 A.M. after a group photo was taken on the Legislative Yuan balcony.