On March 18, 2024, Vice President Dr. Johnny C. Chiang of the Legislative Yuan attended at 10:30 a.m. the inauguration of Taiwan-Czech Republic and Austria Parliamentary Amity Association, convened by Legislator Wan Mei-ling. Also in attendance were KMT caucus convener Fu Kun-chi; Legislators Lo Ming-tsai, Lin Te-fu, Cheng Cheng-chien, Lai Hui-yuan, Hsu Chih-chieh, Wang Yu-min, Wang Hung-wei, Chen Pei-yu, Lee Yen-hsiu, Hsu Chiao-hsin, Hsu Yu-chen, Chang Chia-chun, Lin Kuo-chen, Lin Szu-ming, Liao Hsien-hsiang, Ko Ju-chun, Chen Ching-hui, Tu Chuan-chi, Lu Hsien-yi, Huang Chien-hao, Chiu Cheng-chun; Deputy Foreign Minister Tien Chung-kwang; Representative David Steinke of Czech Economic and Cultural Office Taipei; Tomáš Kopečný, Czech Governmental Envoy for the Reconstruction of Ukraine.

The inauguration commenced with the address by Convener Wan and group photos, followed by a remark by Vice President Chiang. Vice President Chiang first expressed his congratulations to Convener Wan and the establishment of the Association. The bilateral relations the Republic of China (Taiwan) has with the Czech Republic and with Austria have deepened by leaps and bounds over the past four years. Both during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, Taiwan was visited by the Czech delegation led by the Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies and the President of the Senate of the Parliament, which was a show of the progress of Taiwan-Czech relations, for which Vice President Chiang was deeply grateful. Taiwan’s new administration and the new Legislature will continue to break new ground in the following four years by enhancing bilateral relations with the Czech Republic and with Austria through tangible actions; for instance, there can be increased exchanges and collaborations in culture, education, and science and technology.

Vice President Chiang continued to point out that legislative diplomacy is an essential task that falls on the shoulders of all members of the Legislative Yuan. The week before, Chiang just led a legislative delegation to Japan, on behalf of President Daniel K.Y. Han, to attend the 52nd General Assembly of the Asian-Pacific Parliamentarians’ Union (APPU). During the meeting, our delegation engaged in multiple bilateral talks with leaders from Japanese political parties, where our delegation expressed gratitude for Japan’s long-term voicing support of Taiwan’s participation in international organizations. Chiang expressed the hope that the Czech Republic and Austria would also support Taiwan’s inclusion in international organizations and events in the future. In closing, Vice President Chiang wished that the Republic of China (Taiwan), the Czech Republic, and Austria will continue to deepen and broaden parliamentary exchanges based on the shared values of democracy, freedom, and safeguarding human rights. He also looks forward to future visits to the Czech Republic and Austria by delegations led by President Han, so that our partnerships could soar to new heights.

Later on, remarks were also given by Deputy Foreign Minister Tien, Czech Representative Steinke, Czech Governmental Envoy Kopečný, and KMT caucus Convener Fu Kun-chi. The event concluded after 1 hour in warmth and joy, with the organizational charter of the Association passed and its president and vice presidents elected.