On March 8, 2024, Deputy Secretary-General Chang Yu-jung of the Legislative Yuan attended at 10:30 a.m. the inauguration ceremony of Taiwan-the United Arab Emirates Parliamentary Amity Association and Advanced Science and Technology Exchange Association, convened by Legislator Ko Ju-chun. Also in attendance were Vice President Dr. Johnny C. Chiang; Legislators Fu Kun-chi, Liao Wei-hsiang, Lin Pei-hsiang, Hsu Chiao-hsin, Wu Tsung-hsien, Chen Yeong-kang, Wan Mei-ling, Lu Yu-ling, Tu Chuan-chi, Cheng Cheng-chien; Vice Foreign Minister Remus Chen Li-kuo; Director General Iván Lee Yueh-jung of the Office of Parliamentarian Affairs and Deputy Director General Chen Yung-po of the Department of Western Asian and African Affairs under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA); Deputy Director General Chou Chung-pin of the Department of Industrial Technology under the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA); Deputy Director Huang Yu-chen of the Department of International Cooperation and Science Education under the National Science and Technology Counsil (NSTC); Deputy Director General Chiu Jen-chieh of the Department of Information and Technology Education under the Ministry of Education (MOE); Deputy Director Chung Shu-mei of the Department of Information Management under the Ministry of Culture (MOC); Senior Executive Officer Su Ching-chuan of Taxation Administration under the Ministry of Finance (MOF); Director Meng Tzu-ching of International Affairs Department under Academia Sinica; Director Huang Hsi-ho of Securities and Futures Bureau under Financial Supervisory Commission (FSC); Senior Analyst Ding Hao-yuan and Security system Engineer Huang Yen-lin of the Department of Democracy Network under the Ministry of Digital Affairs (MODA); President Peng Shao-fu of Taiwan Blockchain Academia (TBA); Director James Lee Jin-wei of Taiwan Association for Virtual and Augmented Reality (TAVAR).

The inauguration ceremony commenced under the addresses from Convener Ko and KMT Caucus Convener Fu Kun-chi, followed by a remark by Deputy Secretary-General Chang on behalf of the Legislative Yuan. Chang expressed that it was an honor to attend the grand event on behalf of President Daniel K.Y. Han. Although Taiwan and the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.) do not have formal diplomatic relations, we both attach great importance to the development of science and technology. The U.A.E. established the world’s first AI-focused university in 2019; in addition, the UAE’s Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC) recently announced an allocated budget of US$500 million to invest in the acceleration of research and development of AI and emerging technologies.

Deputy Secretary-General Chang continued to point out that Taiwan and the U.A.E. have a lot in common, including expanding the recruitment of international talents, promoting medical technology, developing semiconductor industry, AI industry, and renewable energy, as well as the development of regional transportation hubs. For chip and AI technology, in particular, Taiwan has advanced technology and experiences, for which companies from the U.A.E. visited Taiwan to participate in the 2023 Healthcare+ Expo. This shows that there are unlimited opportunities for collaborations. It is believed that through the Amity Association and Exchange Association convened by Legislator Ko, there will be more in-depth exchanges between the two counties in various fields.

Deputy Secretary-General Chang extended his gratitude to Convener Ko for his efforts in forming the two Associations; it shows that the Legislative Yuan puts great emphasis on bilateral relations between Taiwan and the U.A.E., when it comes to the development of advanced science and technology. Should there be any administrative support required, the Legislative Yuan will spare no effort to assist. In closing, Deputy Secretary-General Chang wished good health and great fortune to the legislators and guests present, as well as a success to the inauguration.

Later on, remarks were given by Vice Foreign Minister Chen. With Legislator Ko presiding over the inauguration, the organizational charters of the two Associations were passed, with their respective president and vice presidents elected. The event concluded after 45 minutes with a group photo and remarks by the newly-elected vice presidents and the guests present.