Vice President Tsai Chi-chang, accompanied by legislators Chiu Yi-ying, Wen Yu-hsia, Chiu Chen-yuan, Deputy Secretary-General Kao Ming-chiu, Director of International Affairs Department Kevin C.F. Lin, and Minister Hsu Chia-ching of Overseas Community Affairs Council, received a delegation led by President Steven Lee of the 30th General Assembly of the "World Taiwanese Chambers of Commerce (WTCC)" on the morning of October 4.
In his opening remarks, Vice President Tsai first introduced the newly established Department of International Affairs of the Legislative Yuan. He believed the launch of the department is a testament that Taiwan is gaining more momentum in parliamentary diplomacy and international engagement. The department also serves as a service window for overseas communities and Taiwanese entrepreneurs across the world. The Vice President further stated that overseas Taiwanese entrepreneurs play significant roles in promoting people-to-people diplomacy and engaging with foreign governments, while assisting Taiwanese government in solving various issues. For instance, he once couldn’t enter Vietnam due to visa problem, it was Taiwanese entrepreneur in Vietnam who finally helped find the solution. This incident highlights the great influence of Taiwanese entrepreneurs, to who Vice President Tsai would like to extend his heartfelt gratitude.
Vice President Tsai explained that it is a precedent for Vice President to concurrently serve as Chair of the Legislative Yuan's World Taiwanese Business Association. He has been in this position for eight years, which he deems a great honor. Among other acquaintance, President Lee is one of his old friends. Apart from that, Vice President Tsai welcomed three legislators from different political parties to the meeting today as well. The attendance of party representatives demonstrates that cross-party support for overseas Taiwanese entrepreneurs and promoting Taiwan’s diplomacy is a consensus across the political spectrum.
Talking about the challenges resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, Vice President Tsai noted that many scheduled meetings with Taiwanese entrepreneurs were forced to cancel until the second half of last year. The Legislative Yuan's World Taiwanese Business Association aspires to be a strong backing for overseas Taiwanese entrepreneurs who have been diligently striving on the forefront. That is why he kept reporting the needs of Taiwanese entrepreneurs to President Tsai since she took office in 2016. In response, President Tsai has appointed more national policy advisors and instructed competent agencies to allocate additional budget for the overseas compatriot businesses, both of which have received unanimous support from legislators. Vice President Tsai also appreciated legislators Wen Yu-hsia and Chiu Chen-yuan, both vice-chairs of the Association representing the opposition parties, for voicing concerns of overseas Taiwanese entrepreneurs. Thanks to their efforts, a great deal of progress has been made in the on-going New Southbound Policy and in materializing government’s pandemic relief packages.
Vice President Tsai pointed out that establishing an exclusive zone for Taiwan in the targeted countries is a major goal of the New Southbound Policy. Additionally, enhancing Taiwan's international status would be conducive to negotiating with foreign counterparts. To this end, defending Taiwan’s democracy would be an important prerequisite. Vice president Tsai highlighted the advancements in Taiwan's relations with the United States, Japan, and the European Union in recent years, and cited his visit to France in April this year as an example. He was impressed with the high standard courtesy extended by the French authorities, who used to keep in low profile. During this trip, Vice President Tsai not only received press interviews but also met French officials in public, signaling a major breakthrough in Taiwan-France ties. Raising Taiwan's international profile would also boost the status of overseas Taiwanese entrepreneurs. Vice President Tsai stated he would be delighted to attend the annual assembly of WTCC scheduled to be held in Vietnam next April, where he looks forward to meeting with President Lee again.
In his speech, President Steven Lee first thanked Vice President Tsai for the warm reception. Then he introduced the board members of the 30th General Assembly of the WTCC, and took this opportunity to convey concerns on behalf of all overseas Taiwanese entrepreneurs. President Lee said that the warm reception Vice President Tsai received in France is an aspiration for him to double up his efforts in making the upcoming annual assembly a big success in Vietnam. In the meantime, he also praised the Legislators and diplomatic personnel posted in foreign missions for their kindness, expertise and dedication. He believed that in this positive atmosphere a brighter future would soon arrive.
The meeting was followed by exchanges of view on issues of mutual concern, including employment of foreign students in Taiwan, urgent need for elderly cares in an aging society, organizing Taiwan-related exhibitions with the help from overseas Taiwanese entrepreneurs, advantages of U.S. policy on social housing, support for agricultural technology in Africa, and meeting the demand for Mandarin language teachers overseas etc., between legislators Chiu Chen-yuan, Wen Yu-hsia, Chiu Yi-ying and the members of the visiting delegation. The meeting finally ended with gift exchanges and the taking of group photos in an amicable vibe.
