President Daniel K.Y. Han of the Legislative Yuan, accompanied by Vice President Johnny C. Chiang, met with a delegation from the Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce of Denver led by President Melissa Weng on the morning of September 5. They were joined by KMT Legislator Chen Yeong-Kang, DPP Legislator Ngalim Tiunn, former Legislator Wen Yu-Hsia, and International Affairs Department Director Kevin C.F. Lin.
President Han and Vice President Chiang expressed a heartfelt welcome to the delegation and took a group photo with the attending legislators and guests. In his remarks, President Han stated that the Legislative Yuan has always been a "home" for Taiwanese businesspeople around the world. He commended the overseas Taiwanese businesses for actively demonstrating their economic strength, supporting each other, helping to deepen Taiwan-U.S. relations, and expanding Taiwan’s international participation, making them an important bridge between Taiwan and the U.S. President Han expressed his delight in meeting everyone and warmly welcomed the overseas Taiwanese businesspeople "back home."
President Melissa Weng of the Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce of Denver expressed sincere thanks to President Han for taking the time to meet and stated it was a great honor to visit the Legislative Yuan. The Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce of Denver, established in 2021 by Taiwanese expatriates from the industrial and business sectors in Denver, is the 40th branch of the North American Taiwan Chambers of Commerce Association (TCCNA). The Chamber has actively promoted exchanges between local governments in the U.S., the business sector, and Taiwan in the fields of culture, education, and economics. Last year (2023), the chamber facilitated the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between New Taipei City and the city of Aurora in the USA to promote cultural, educational, and economic cooperation. The two cities thus became sister cities. In August this year, a youth cultural ambassador from New Taipei City also participated in the 11th Global Fest in Denver. The festival attracted representatives from over 100 ethnic groups and more than 40 countries, with Taiwanese representatives attending annually in outfits featuring the national flag, indigenous clothing, or qipao while holding the national flag of Taiwan, thereby promoting Taiwanese culture overseas.
Former Legislator Wen Yu-Hsia, who accompanied the Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce of Denver on their visit to the Legislative Yuan, stated that Taiwanese businesspeople have long been actively helping Taiwan expand its diplomatic space overseas, effectively demonstrating Taiwan's soft power. She further emphasized that "though Taiwan is small, it is complete in every respect," noting that Taiwan’s status as a democratic and free country is a remarkable achievement. She expressed gratitude for the efforts of overseas Taiwanese businesspeople and hoped for greater understanding and support for their concerns within Taiwan. Former Legislator Wen also revealed that more delegations of Taiwanese businesspeople from around the world will visit the Legislative Yuan before the end of this year.
Vice President Chiang expressed his welcome to the young and vibrant Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce of Denver, which has been established for just over three years, for their visit to the Legislative Yuan. He pointed out that Taiwanese businesspeople are actively advocating for Taiwan abroad, facilitating Taiwan's bilateral and multilateral relations and economic cooperation with various countries, making the Republic of China (Taiwan) a country where the sun never sets. Vice President Chiang, who had just returned from a visit to Texas, was pleased to see the increasing frequency and closeness of exchanges and cooperation between Taiwan and various U.S. states. Currently, 23 state governments in the U.S. have established offices in Taiwan, but Colorado, where Denver is located, has not yet set up a representative office in Taiwan. He hoped that the Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce of Denver would help promote the establishment of a representative office for Colorado or Denver City in Taiwan to further deepen bilateral exchanges and cooperation.
President Han specifically mentioned that due to the trend of declining birth rates, seven universities in Taiwan have been forced to suspend admissions and cease operations this year. He welcomed the idea of American universities utilizing these existing facilities to establish branch campuses in Taiwan. This not only benefits local Taiwanese students but also attracts students from Southeast Asia and other neighboring countries, enhancing Taiwan's higher education soft power. As a globally renowned institution, he hoped the Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce of Denver could encourage the University of Denver or polytechnic universities and colleges to establish branch campuses in Taiwan. He further stated that the Legislative Yuan will provide full cross-party support for such initiatives.
Legislator Chen Yeong-Kang noted in his speech that Colorado holds a significant position in the U.S. defense industry and has high potential for cooperation with Taiwan in high technology, education, and related industries. He pointed out that Taiwanese businesses possess soft power, while the government holds hard power, and the combination of the two can create a powerful strategic strength. He emphasized the importance of talent cultivation in the defense industry and expressed hope that the Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce will support efforts to encourage the University of Denver to establish a branch campus in Taiwan. He also stated that he will fully cooperate and assist in these efforts.
Legislator Ngalim Tiunn emphasized that Taiwanese businesses abroad have significantly increased Taiwan's international visibility and have become an important bridge for expanding international cooperation between the government and enterprises. She stated that the Legislative Yuan will continue to actively support the Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce, deepen cooperation between Taiwan and the U.S. in various fields, and ensure that Taiwanese businesses continue to shine in the United States.
President Melissa Weng of the Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce of Denver shared that in June this year, the Chamber assisted the American Institute in Taiwan in hosting the Select USA Taiwan Optoelectronics and Quantum High-Tech Delegation's visit to the U.S., promoting business cooperation between Taiwan and Colorado. President Weng also mentioned that the Lieutenant Governor of Colorado plans to lead a delegation to visit Taiwan in November this year, and the Chamber will fully assist with this visit. In the future, the Chamber will actively promote and seek to establish an office for Colorado in Taiwan.
President Han concluded by expressing hope to see all the Taiwanese business friends again during the Lieutenant Governor of Colorado's visit to Taiwan in November. He extended a warm welcome for everyone to visit the Legislative Yuan anytime, affirming that the Legislative Yuan will always be a "home" for Taiwanese business friends around the world.
The visit lasted about an hour, and the atmosphere was friendly and pleasant. After exchanging commemorative gifts and taking group photos, the meeting was concluded on a high note.
