President Daniel K.Y. Han: Thanking Heritage Foundation for continuing to support Taiwan. Taiwan is willing to deepen Taiwan-U.S. exchanges.

Accompanied by Legislative Yuan Vice President Dr. Johnny C. Chiang. KMT Legislator Ko, Ju-chun, DPP Legislator Su Chiao-hui, TPP Deputy Party Whip Huang Shan-shan, Secretary-General Chester W. L. Chou, International Affairs Department Director Kevin C.F. Lin, and TECRO Political Division Deputy Director Chloe Fu, Legislative Yuan President Daniel K.Y. Han met the Heritage Foundation delegation on the afternoon of February 27. 
 
First of all, President Han posed for photos along with Vice President Chiang, legislators and delegation members. President Han presented a Kinmen Kaoliang Liquor to President Kevin Roberts, Founder and former President Edwin Feulner and Vice President Victoria Coates respectively as a token of friendship and wished them a fruitful visit to Taiwan. President Roberts reciprocated President Han with a Heritage Foundation necktie. After group photos, they proceeded to the banquet hall for the luncheon. 
 
Before the luncheon started, President Han welcomed the Heritage Foundation to the Legislative Yuan. He began his remarks by quoting a Taiwanese saying that “Even water freezes when you call the shots.” to describe the far-reaching impacts of the foundation in the heart of the people of Taiwan. Taiwan respects this powerful U.S. think tank, and is also grateful for its longstanding support to Taiwan. 
 
President Han continued to state that he wanted to give special thanks to Dr. Feulner, the founder and former president of the Heritage Foundation for participating in formulating Taiwan Relations Act, which has profound impacts to enable the people of Taiwan to enjoy stable way of life over the past four decades. On behalf of the people of Taiwan, he wanted to express his heartfelt appreciation to Dr. Feulner for his contributions. He looked forward to the continued flourishing Taiwan-U.S. relations. In responding to inquiries, President Han stated that national defense, foreign policy and deepening Taiwan-U.S and Taiwan-Japan relations received full support across parties. He continued to point out that the presence of Vice President Chiang along with representatives of the three party caucuses demonstrate Taiwan’s attachment of great importance to the Heritage Foundation. President Han conveyed his best wishes to President Roberts and hoped the delegation enjoy Taiwanese cuisines, beautiful scenery, and make new friends. He believed that the delegation will be impressed and have fond memories of Taiwan.
 
President Roberts started his remarks by thanking President Han to find time to receive and host a luncheon in honor of the delegation although he was busy in presiding over the yuan sitting. He also thanked the presence of the representatives of the three party caucuses. Although this marked his first visit to Taiwan, he deeply felt the warmth of the people of Taiwan and Taiwan’s beauty. He continued to point out that this visit was to express its strong support and friendship of the foundation and American people to Taiwan. He found that Taiwan is like Texas. Taiwanese people are energetic and love freedom, just like Texans. Some say that Texas is a shining light of the United States. Likewise, Taiwan is also the shining light of Asia and the world. In the future, Heritage Foundation will continue to support Taiwan to make contributions to promoting cordial relations.
 
Dr. Feulner stated that he wanted to especially congratulated President Han and Vice President Chiang. He was honored to have the opportunity to visit the Legislative Yuan. He thanked the presence of legislators to welcome them. He continued to state that the people of Taiwan are not only very hospitable but also very energetic in the democratic congress. This visit wanted to convey U.S. bipartisan support to Taiwan. He believed that no matter who will be in the White House after November election, the U.S. administration and congress will continue to support democratic Taiwan. President Han and Vice President Chiang expressed their gratitude to Dr. Feulner for his congratulations and support.
 
During the luncheon, representative of the three party caucuses delivered remarks. DDP Legislator Su Chiao-hui expressed her privilege to be able to welcome the Heritage Foundation delegation. In addition to issues related with national defense and foreign affairs, she hoped to deepen cooperation on economic issues and peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. TPP Deputy Party Whip Huang Shan-shan showed her thanks to the foundation for its longstanding support to Taiwan. She hoped the U.S. will continue to assist Taiwan in expanding international space to participate in international organizations. KMT Legislator Ko Ju-chun stated that both KMT and Heritage Foundation attach great importance to traditional values, but also innovation. He hoped to have more cooperation with the U.S in ChatGPT and other innovation high-tech areas. After Vice President Chiang responded to questions raised by the delegation members, he stated that he visited the foundation twice last year for in-depth exchanges with fruitful results. He emphasized that the Legislative Yuan gives full support to developing cordial relations with the United States. He hoped the foundation to exert its influence to further develop Taiwan-U.S. relations. President Roberts and Dr. Feulner thanked President Han, Vice President Chiang and legislators for their presence and for candid exchange of views and valuable insights. They looked forward to the visit of President Han and Vice President Chiang to the U.S in the near future. 
 
Both sides had full exchanges and discussion on issues related with U.S.-Taiwan relations, national defense expenditures, arms sales, current cross-Strait relations, expanding parliamentary diplomacy with like-minded countries. At the end of the meeting, President Han invited all distinguished guests to propose a toast to consolidating and deepening Taiwan-U.S. relations. The meeting and luncheon concluded after 90 minutes in an amicable atmosphere. (E)