On March 1, 2024, Deputy Secretary-General Chang Yu-jung of the Legislative Yuan attended at 11:00 a.m. the inauguration of four parliamentary amity associations and alliances; these bodies include East Asia Parliamentary Association and Taiwan Parliamentary Semiconductor Strategic Alliance, convened by Legislator Kuo Kuo-wen; Taiwan and Trans-Pacific Clean Energy Parliamentary Alliance and Taiwan-Palau Congressional Association by Legislator Chung Chia-pin. Also in attendance were Legislators Wu Szu-yao, Wang Mei-hui, Chen Kuan-ting, Lee Kuen-cheng, Puma Shen, Huang Shiou-fang, Ngalim Tiunn, Loh Mei-ling, Chen Yu-jen, Kuo Yu-ching, and Hsu Chih-chieh; Deputy Foreign Minister Tien Chung-kwang; H.E. Ambassador David Adams Orrukem of the Republic of Palau; Director General Dr. Jörg Wolftram Polster of German Institute Taipei; Director Venus Chen of Trade and Invest British Columbia Taiwan Office; General Affairs Director Kakizawa Michi of Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association (Taipei Office); Secretary General Weng Su-chen of Energy Administration, under the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA).

The inauguration commenced with the addresses from Conveners Kuo Kuo-wen and Chung Chia-pin and a group photo, followed by a remark by Deputy Secretary-General Chang on behalf of the Legislative Yuan. Chang stated that Taiwan, as the leader in global semiconductor manufacturing, creates output value accounting for over 20% of the total around the world, and the number will be reaching NT$5 trillion in 2024. There is a complete industrial chain layout including design, manufacturing, and the equipment and materials in place, making Taiwan indispensable in the global semiconductor supply chain. As countries come to realize the strategic importance of semiconductors, the establishment of Taiwan Parliamentary Semiconductor Strategic Alliance will strengthen collaboration with major supplier countries and continue to expand the scale of Taiwan’s semiconductor industry.

Deputy Secretary-General Chang continued to point out that climate change and sustainable development are key issues that every country is now attaching great importance to. As Taiwan is known for its world-leading high-tech and chip manufacturing industries, the development of new energy can be part of the strategy to build a green supply chain, echoing the vision of sustainable living. It is imperative for Taiwan to invest in renewable energy projects with a forward-looking mindset, so that Taiwan can strengthen its collaboration with other Asia Pacific countries to create a sustainable future with energy security. Chang stressed that Taiwan sits in an essential strategic location in Asia, so maintaining regional stability is the common aspiration of the world and is also in line with the common interest of countries involved as stakeholders. Taiwan has established close ties with many countries in East Asia, despite the lack of formal diplomatic relations. Over the past 30 years, with the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) as a platform for exchanges with many countries, the scope of Taiwan’s multilateral diplomacy has gradually expanded, demonstrating our economic strength and trade to countries in the East Asia region.

As for the Republic of Palau, it established formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan in 1999; since then, the two countries have long maintained close ties in an array of fields including agriculture and fishery, medical and health, tourism, sports exchanges, education and training, art and culture, marine conservation, and maritime safety. The government of Palau has repeatedly supported the Republic of China (Taiwan) in international occasions and rooted for Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organizations. For future prospects, Taiwan-Palau Congressional Association can serve as a platform for Taiwan and Palau to continue to deepen our partnership and to bring mutual prosperity. In closing, Deputy Secretary-General Chang wished good health and great fortune to the legislators and distinguished guests present, as well as smooth operation of the Associations and the Alliances.

Later on, remarks were given by Conveners Kuo Kuo-wen and Chung Chia-pin, Deputy Foreign Minister Tien Chung-kwang, H.E. Ambassador Orrukem, and Secretary General Weng Su-chen of Energy Administration. The event concluded in warmth and joy after 1 hour, with the organizational charter of the four bodies passed and their president and vice presidents elected.