Accompanied by Legislators Chung Chia-pin, Hsieh Yi-fong, Wu Hsin-ying, Chen Jiau-hua, Secretary General Lin Jih-jia, Consultant Chou Ya-shu, International Affairs Department Director Kevin C.F. Lin, Deputy Foreign Minister Dr. Roy Chun Lee, European Affairs Department Director General Jared Lin and Belgian Office in Taipei Director Matthieu Branders, President You met with the eight-member Belgian parliamentary delegation on the afternoon of October 16.

In his remarks, President expressed his privilege to welcome the distinguished guests from Foreign Relations Committee of Belgian Chamber of Representatives. On behalf of Taiwan’s congress, he extended a warm welcome to their visit. He was also pleased to meet Foreign Relations Committee Chair Els Van Hoof again. He thanked her for visiting Taiwan along with the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC) in November 2022 and for stating in the press conference that IPAC would do its utmost to strengthen relations with Taiwan. President You was touched to see her for leading a delegation to visit Taiwan to support Taiwan with concrete actions to show her strong friendship with Taiwan.

President You continued to state that he wanted to express appreciation to Belgium-Taiwan Parliamentary Friendship Group Co-chair Georges Dallemagne and all distinguished members of the delegation for the longstanding and unwavering support of Belgian Chamber of Representatives to Taiwan to strive for international participation. In 2003, it adopted the resolution in favor of Taiwan, making it the first among European Union members and had a positive impact to others. On July 16, 2020, it also adopted a resolution about Taiwan’s status in the international community with an overwhelming support. The resolution requested China to release Taiwanese citizen Lee Ming-che, to support Taiwan’s participation in World Health Organization, International Civil Aviation Organization, United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and other international organizations. The resolution also called on the EU to strengthen ties with Taiwan. Its support to Taiwan is like a friend in need is a true friend in need. On behalf of the people of Taiwan, he wanted to express his sincere gratitude.

President You underscored that in recent years, China’s military threats have severely affected the peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. The U.S. State Secretary Blinken openly stated to the media in February this year that half of the global shipment passed through Taiwan strait daily. Most of the semiconductor for smart phone or vehicles and other daily necessities are made in Taiwan. Therefore, the importance of Taiwan Strait is not only about democracy but also about global economic and trade interests. Ensuring the peace and stability of Taiwan Strait is ensuring the economic and trade development and democratic value of Europe, the United States and the entire world.

President You continued to point out that Belgian and Taiwan enjoy close economic and trade relations. In addition to Taiwan’s transport, computer and other high-tech industries that invest in Belgian, Belgian industries also invest in Taiwan in recent years in large scale offshore wind power and started to expand research and development cooperation with TSMC and other semiconductor companies since 2008. All of these facts show that bilateral economic and trade relations have made tremendous progress over the years. President You sincerely hoped that Belgian will continue to support democratic Taiwan to defend peace and security across the Taiwan Strait and the public interest of Europe, the United States and the entire world.

President concluded his remarks by saying that he visited Belgian before, especially Manneken Pis. He has special bond with Beligian. It was worth mentioning that many of his friends with outstanding achievements are alumni from Catholic University of Leuven. He praised Belgian a relatively small country in size and population but is a great country with remarkable achievements.

In her remarks, Chair Els Van Hoof stated that she visited Taiwan three times and had fond memory of Taiwan. This visit further increased another one. She stated that Taiwan is the core of the Asia-Pacific region and is a well-known beacon of democracy. Belgian is going to have an election in June 2024, while Taiwan in January. She understood that the Legislative Yuan must be very busy in the election season. Therefore, she especially thanked all legislators for welcoming the delegation. She continued to say that Belgian and Taiwan share the core values of democracy, rule of law, freedom and human rights. Facing China’s intimidation, Belgian is fearless and Belgian-Taiwan Parliamentary Friendship Group was established with eight co-chairs. She continued to mention that they agreed with what President You stated in the invitation letter the importance of promoting parliamentary diplomacy, because it is a demonstration of soft power. As members of parliament promote parliamentary diplomacy, they can fully represent the public opinion.

She continued to state that as an EU member, Belgian has been highly concerned about the tension across the Taiwan Strait in recent years. It opposes unilateral change of status quo. Belgian foreign policy still upholds one China principle, but still have substantive engagements with Taiwan in the fields of economic and trade, education, culture and others. As President You mentioned about the issues related with Taiwan. Belgian’s Chamber of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee cannot accept China’s various intimidations and thus introduced the resolution in 2020 about Taiwan’s international status in the hope that all parties concerned can entire the peace and stability of Taiwan Strait. Belgian’s Chamber of Commerce also urges EU member states to pay attention to this issue and support Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organizations. The Foreign Affairs Committee is also drafting a new resolution, which was also introduced by Chair Els Van Hoof. The Belgian Chamber of Representatives will give Taiwan full support to reduce tension across Taiwan Strait.

Chair Els Van Hoof stressed that even China strongly opposed Belgian parliamentarians to visit Taiwan, this would only have countereffects. She quoted late U.S. President Rosevelt “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” She firmly believed that genuine friendship would continue to shine like sunshine. She hoped that Belgian and Taiwan will continue to deepen friendship and move forward together.