The Legislative Yuan

Press Release

June 21, 2023

President You meets 10-member Polish parliamentary delegation led by Foreign Affairs Committee Deputy Chair Barbara Bartuś

You Si-kun: Taiwan and Poland share similar democratization process and hope we can cooperate to safeguard global democracy

On the afternoon of June 21, President You Si-kun met with a 10-member delegation led by Deputy Chair Barbara Bartuś of the Foreign Affairs Committee in the Sejm (lower house of parliament) of the Republic of Poland accompanied by Legislators Wu Yu-chin, Wu I-ding, Chiu Chen-yuan, Chen Jiau-hua, Lin Ching-yi, Tang Hui-jane, Secretary Lin Jih-jia, Consultant Chou Ya-shu, Secretariat Director Kung Ping-chieh, Deputy Minister Tien Chung-kwang and Polish Office in Taipei Deputy Director Łukasz Weremiuk.

President You began his remarks by saying that the most important people and things in his life have a word with the pronunciation of “lan”. For example, his mother was “Yu-lan” and his hometown is “Yilan”. The country that overthrew authoritarian regime and carry out democracy is called Poland. He shared this coincidence with the delegation to extend a sincere welcome to them.  

He continued to express gratitude to Poland for sharing vaccine doses with Taiwan when Taiwan was in need, making Poland the third largest country in terms of the number of vaccine doses. The people of Taiwan will never forget this assistance. He thanked and respected Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki for voicing for Taiwan when French President Macron visited China and stated that Europe should not be engaged in the Taiwan Strait conflict. His support in the international community greatly encouraged Taiwan.

President You continued to stated that although geographically apart without diplomatic ties, Taiwan and Poland share similarities in opposing authoritarian regime and striving for democracy just like brothers. For example, the Martial Law was lifted in 1987. Taiwan conducted a comprehensive legislative election in 1993 and became the first democracy in the Chinese-speaking communities. While Poland overthrew the communist regime in 1989 and became the first democracy in the Warsaw Pact members. When he was young, he often read about the efforts made by Poland to fight for democracy. Poland is a great country that he respects very much. For example, the number of Ukraine refugee that Poland takes care of has exceeded 1.5 million, three folds of that of Germany. Poland is also a midpoint for the West to provided military assistance to Ukraine. He thanked Poland for supporting Taiwan and wished Taiwan and Poland continue to deepen friendship and cooperation.

Deputy Chair Barbara Bartuś began by thanking President You’s warm hospitality. On behalf of the delegation, she wanted to state that Taiwan is a good friend of Poland. She hoped that his visit would farther promote cooperation, such as economics, and trade, culture and people-to-people exchanges. She also stated that during the pandemic, Taiwan and Poland provided mutual assistance with vaccines and masks, a testament to the genuine friendship especially when friends are in need. She thanked Taiwan for providing relief materials to Ukraine. There is an Polish old saying that two thanks with one request. She hoped Taiwan will continue to assist Ukraine. She was pleased to see dynamic bilateral economic cooperation, in particular in semiconductor industry. She hoped to see smooth cooperation. She once again cited an old saying that if you want to have peace, you need to prepare for a war. She stated that both Taiwan and Poland need to strengthen economic development and to upgrade military equipment and national defense capabilities to protect national peace and security. She concluded her remarks by thanking all for their warm welcome and invite legislators to visit Poland to promote exchanges. She underscored that this delegation was comprised of cross-party members, representing the unanimous support to Taiwan. She also conveyed the greetings of the Polish-Taiwanese Parliamentarian Group Chair Waldemar Andzel.

Legislator Chen Jiau-hua expressed the warm welcome of New Power Party to the delegation. Poland’s experience in fighting for democracy and freedom was worthy for Taiwan to emulate. She hoped that both sides can cooperate in the areas of tourism, culture and other industries.

Taiwan People’s Party Convener Chiu Chen-yuan thanked Poland for providing antipandemic supplies or humanitarian assistance during the pandemic and Russian-Ukraine war. The virtuous cycle has become a role model for the world. He shared three points: safeguarding the values of democracy to protect regional peace, stability and security to promote economic and cultural exchanges between Taiwan and Poland with concrete actions of cooperation in semiconductor, green energy, EV, direct flights. He used to be an overseas Taiwanese businessman. There is a Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce in Poland. He hoped to see increasing bilateral investment and exchanges.

In her remarks, Legislator Wu I-ding pointed out that the Republic of China was founded in 1911, the first democracy in the Chinese-speaking communities or Asia. The democracy is hard-won through the sacrifice of many young people. Therefore, Taiwan should safeguard security across the Taiwan Strait. She continued to state that unlike Ukraine, after the Russian-Ukraine war erupted, millions of Ukrainians could flee to Europe. Once there is a war across the Taiwan Strait, she was afraid that probably less than 100,000 out of the 23 million people of Taiwan could flee. Therefore, Taiwan needs international support. A war is not an option. She stated that there are a lot of hardworking Polish scientists. She hoped to see more bilateral economic substantive cooperation. She wished the delegation a fruitful visit.

Legislator Wu Yu-chin stated that she agreed with what Deputy Chair Barbara Bartuś said. Only upgrading national defense capabilities can we prevent a war from happening. Taiwanese will never provoke a war but are willing to stand together with international good friends. She thanked the Polish government for assisting Taiwan to deliver relief material and donation to Ukraine. She hoped that the donation to Ukraine this year will be provided through the assistance of Poland so that the help would be effective.

Both sides exchanged views on issues related with cooperation, Taiwan’s elections, semiconductor industry, green energy development, assistance to Ukraine, and separation of powers. The meeting concluded at 5:10 P.M. after mutual exchange of gifts and group photos.

Note: Delegation members

1. Sejm Foreign Affairs Committee Deputy Chair Barbara Bartuś
2. Sejm member and Polish-Taiwanese Parliamentarian Group Deputy Chair Mieczysław Kasprzak
3. Sejm member and Polish-Taiwanese Parliamentarian Group Deputy Chair Joanna Senyszyn
4. Sejm member and Polish-Taiwanese Parliamentarian Group member Bartłomiej Dorywalski
5. Sejm member and Polish-Taiwanese Parliamentarian Group member Bartłomiej Dorywalski
6. Sejm member and Polish-Taiwanese Parliamentarian Group member Michał Gramatyka
7. Sejm member and Polish-Taiwanese Parliamentarian Group member Maria Małgorzata Janyska
8. Sejm Foreign Affairs Committee member and Polish-Taiwanese Parliamentarian Group member Andrzej Kryj
9. Sejm member and Polish-Taiwanese Parliamentarian Group member Krzysztof Truskolaski
10. Sejm member and Polish-Taiwanese Parliamentarian Group member Robert Warwas