The Legislative Yuan

Press Release

June 5, 2023

President You meets a six-member delegation of South Australian Parliamentary Cross-Party Delegation

You Si-kun: Australia is an important force of stability facing China’s threats to Indo-Pacific peace

Accompanied by Legislators Chuang Jui-Hsiung, Wen Yu-Hsia, Jang, Chyi-Lu, Chen Jiau-hua, Secretary General Lin Jih-jia, Secretariat Director Kung Ping-chieh, President You welcomed Senator Yung Ngo, Senator Laura Henderson, Senator Frank Pangallo, Senator Heidi Girolamo, Senator Reggie Martin and Senator Benjamin Hood from South Australian Parliamentary on at 5:30 p.m. on June 5.

President You began with his warm welcome to the delegation on behalf of the Legislative Yuan. He stated that Australia is a huge country with abundant resources and beautiful sceneries. The size of South Australia is 30 times bigger than Taiwan. He has been to Australian many times, but has never been to South Australia. He knew many Taiwanese young people went to South Australia on working holiday scheme. President You expressed his thanks to all distinguished guest for taking good care of these young people. President You stated that due to China’s obstruction, Taiwan cannot participate in many international activities. He thanked the friendship for voicing in support of Taiwan all the time.

President You pointed out that Australia is an important force of stability in the Indo-Pacific region. Regardless of AUKUS, QUAD or Five Eyes, Australia is an important member. As we face recent rapid change of the international situation, Australia is increasing important to maintain regional stability. Therefore, Taiwan hoped to have more future cooperation with Australia. He thanked all distinguished guests for their unwavering support.

President You further pointed out that at the end of 2010, China became the world’s second largest economy. When Xi Jinping visited the US on February 13, 2012, he publicly sated that the vast Pacific Ocean can accommodate the two big powers of China and the US. On September 25, 2015, Xi pledged to President Obama that China had no intention to have militarization in South China Sea, but he did not keep his promise. In addition, on July 16, 2016 an arbitrary tribunal rejected China’s claim to historical and economic rights in most of the South China Sea have no legal basis. From these examples mentioned above, China interfered South China Sea and South Pacific countries as an authoritarian regime of expansion abroad and repression at home. Therefore, President You hoped to have more future close cooperation between Taiwan and Australia to enhance regional prosperity and stability.  

Senator Yung Ngo started his remarks by thanking President You for finding time to receive them. On behalf of the entire delegation, he expressed his appreciation to President You. This marked his third visit. He had always been impressive by and been proud of Taiwan. He stated that Taiwan has similar population with Australia, but Taiwan is far advanced in semiconductor and high-tech industries. Therefore, he always encouraged his colleagues to visit Taiwan to witness its prosperity, democracy and human rights. Although other members of the delegation visited Taiwan for the first time, this was the eye-opening experience for them. Although they just arrived in Taiwan, they had become the strong power of supporting Taiwan.

Senator Yung Ngo continued to state that Australia has cross-party support to Taiwan. The Australian government has provided staunch support to Taiwan. After he returned to Australia, he would relate his appreciation to the Australian government. In addition, he stressed that this visit was to promote industrial and academic exchanges with Taiwan to attract more Taiwan’s businesses to South Australia. Therefore, he welcomed President You to visit South Australia to promote bilateral economic and trade investment. Senator Yung Ngo concluded his remarks by thanking President You’s warm hospitality and wished Taiwan a smooth election, President You and legislators all success.