President of the Legislative Yuan Daniel K.Y. Han meets and hosts luncheon for Saint Lucia delegation led by Senate President and Speaker of the House of Assembly. President Han: We thank Saint Lucia for its long-term support for Taiwan on the international stage.
At noon on October 9, President of the Legislative Yuan Daniel K.Y. Han met with and hosted a luncheon for a Saint Lucia delegation led by Senate President Alvina Reynolds and Speaker of the House of Assembly Claudius J. Francis. President Han was accompanied by Legislators Lin Chien-Chi, Huang Jen, Wang Cheng-Hsu, and Ngalim Tiunn, International Affairs Department Director Kevin C.F. Lin, Ambassador of Saint Lucia to Taiwan Robert Kennedy Lewis, and Consul General on Home Assignment Edward Tao from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA).
Upon the arrival of Senate President Reynolds and Speaker Francis at the Legislative Yuan, President Han, accompanied by cross-party legislators, received the visiting delegation at the front gates. Legislators Lin Chien-Chi and Wang Cheng-Hsu presented a bouquet of flowers to Senate President Reynolds and Speaker Francis, respectively, before the delegation proceeded to the VIP room. President Han invited Senate President Reynolds and Speaker Francis to leave messages and sign the Legislative Yuan guest book, after which a group photo of the distinguished guests and members of the Legislative Yuan present was taken.
President Han first extended a warm welcome to the visiting delegation, followed by acknowledging the presence of representatives from the two major political parties in Taiwan, highlighting the importance they attached to the delegation led by the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Assembly. President Han continued to introduce Taiwan's parliamentary structure, which is different from bicameralism in the United Kingdom, the United States, and Saint Lucia. Taiwan features a unicameral system, where legislators specialize in different fields and fulfill their duties to speak for their constituents. Currently, there are 113 legislators in Taiwan, with 47 seats held by female members, accounting for 41%. In addition, President Hand applauded Saint Lucia for having two Nobel Prize laureates despite its population of around 180,000, which equals to one laureate for every 90,000 people on average. This ratio is unprecedented in the world, which shows the great potential of St. Lucia in terms of its outstanding achievements in education and talent cultivation. President Han also expressed his gratitude to Saint Lucia for its long-term support for Taiwan on the international stage. He hoped that the two nations would continue to work together for more cooperation in education, technology, economic development, and trade in the future, which, in turn, could generate more opportunities for cooperation between Taiwan and Saint Lucia.
In her remarks, Senate President Reynolds first expressed her gratitude to President Han and the attending legislators for their warm hospitality, and noted that it was a great honor to visit the Legislative Yuan. She also visited Taiwan when she served as Minister of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs in 2012, which left a profound impression on her. Now, on the occasion of the 113th National Day, she extended congratulations to Taiwan on behalf of Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre and the people of Saint Lucia. Senate President Reynolds continued to point out that Taiwan has always been an outstanding partner of Saint Lucia, where Taiwan is known to people of all ages and walks of life. In response to what President Han mentioned earlier about the proportion of female participation in politics, she added that the Senate of Saint Lucia consists of 6 members nominated by the ruling party, 3 by the opposition party, and 2 independent members. Among the 11 members, 6 are female, accounting for nearly 60%, while the House of Assembly has 17 seats, 2 of which are held by females, and all of them are elected directly by popular vote. Senate President Reynolds expressed that Taiwan is an essential partner of Saint Lucia in public health, talent cultivation, social welfare, and agriculture. She hoped that the two nations could continue to deepen collaborations in various fields, and said that Saint Lucia will continue to support Taiwan on the international stage. She added that she believes this visit will allow them to better understand the organization and practices of Taiwan's parliament, as both sides can learn more from each other.
Responding to female participation, Speaker Francis pointed out that Saint Lucia is the only nation in the world named after a female. He also mentioned that a female track and field athlete from Saint Lucia won a gold medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics, of which he is deeply proud. Speaker Francis expressed his gratitude for the warm reception by President Han and the legislators present. As a member of parliament elected by popular vote, he said he knows that fierce debates and arguments among the members are necessary when discussing an array of issues. Therefore, it is not an easy task to assume the role of the President of the Legislative Yuan, but he knows that President Han has rich experience in both the public and private sectors and will carry out the task brilliantly. On the other hand, Speaker Francis specifically noted that in 2008, the number of seats in the Legislative Yuan was halved from 225 to 113, which is rarely seen in other nations. This showed that the legislators of the Republic of China (Taiwan) are working not for their own interests but for the benefit of the people, which is a blessing for the citizens of Taiwan. In closing, Speaker Francis talked about the visit to Taiwan this time; despite days of rain since their arrival, all members of the delegation felt at home because of the hospitality, friendliness, and enthusiasm of the people in Taiwan. He expressed his hope that the friendship between the two nations would last forever, and wished Taiwan a happy National Day.
After the meeting, President Han presented a gavel used in the sessions at the Legislative Yuan as a token of appreciation to Senate President Reynolds and Speaker Francis, highlighting the importance he attaches to and his gratitude for their visit, as the parliamentary leaders from a nation with which Taiwan has diplomatic ties. The meeting was followed by a luncheon, during which the two sides had in-depth exchanges on multiple topics, including sports development, indigenous language and culture, recent bills being viewed at the Legislative Yuan, events for Taiwan's National Day, and bilateral cooperation projects between Taiwan and Saint Lucia. The reception and luncheon came to a successful end after 1 hour and 45 minutes, where guests enjoyed a warm and friendly atmosphere.
Upon the arrival of Senate President Reynolds and Speaker Francis at the Legislative Yuan, President Han, accompanied by cross-party legislators, received the visiting delegation at the front gates. Legislators Lin Chien-Chi and Wang Cheng-Hsu presented a bouquet of flowers to Senate President Reynolds and Speaker Francis, respectively, before the delegation proceeded to the VIP room. President Han invited Senate President Reynolds and Speaker Francis to leave messages and sign the Legislative Yuan guest book, after which a group photo of the distinguished guests and members of the Legislative Yuan present was taken.
President Han first extended a warm welcome to the visiting delegation, followed by acknowledging the presence of representatives from the two major political parties in Taiwan, highlighting the importance they attached to the delegation led by the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Assembly. President Han continued to introduce Taiwan's parliamentary structure, which is different from bicameralism in the United Kingdom, the United States, and Saint Lucia. Taiwan features a unicameral system, where legislators specialize in different fields and fulfill their duties to speak for their constituents. Currently, there are 113 legislators in Taiwan, with 47 seats held by female members, accounting for 41%. In addition, President Hand applauded Saint Lucia for having two Nobel Prize laureates despite its population of around 180,000, which equals to one laureate for every 90,000 people on average. This ratio is unprecedented in the world, which shows the great potential of St. Lucia in terms of its outstanding achievements in education and talent cultivation. President Han also expressed his gratitude to Saint Lucia for its long-term support for Taiwan on the international stage. He hoped that the two nations would continue to work together for more cooperation in education, technology, economic development, and trade in the future, which, in turn, could generate more opportunities for cooperation between Taiwan and Saint Lucia.
In her remarks, Senate President Reynolds first expressed her gratitude to President Han and the attending legislators for their warm hospitality, and noted that it was a great honor to visit the Legislative Yuan. She also visited Taiwan when she served as Minister of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs in 2012, which left a profound impression on her. Now, on the occasion of the 113th National Day, she extended congratulations to Taiwan on behalf of Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre and the people of Saint Lucia. Senate President Reynolds continued to point out that Taiwan has always been an outstanding partner of Saint Lucia, where Taiwan is known to people of all ages and walks of life. In response to what President Han mentioned earlier about the proportion of female participation in politics, she added that the Senate of Saint Lucia consists of 6 members nominated by the ruling party, 3 by the opposition party, and 2 independent members. Among the 11 members, 6 are female, accounting for nearly 60%, while the House of Assembly has 17 seats, 2 of which are held by females, and all of them are elected directly by popular vote. Senate President Reynolds expressed that Taiwan is an essential partner of Saint Lucia in public health, talent cultivation, social welfare, and agriculture. She hoped that the two nations could continue to deepen collaborations in various fields, and said that Saint Lucia will continue to support Taiwan on the international stage. She added that she believes this visit will allow them to better understand the organization and practices of Taiwan's parliament, as both sides can learn more from each other.
Responding to female participation, Speaker Francis pointed out that Saint Lucia is the only nation in the world named after a female. He also mentioned that a female track and field athlete from Saint Lucia won a gold medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics, of which he is deeply proud. Speaker Francis expressed his gratitude for the warm reception by President Han and the legislators present. As a member of parliament elected by popular vote, he said he knows that fierce debates and arguments among the members are necessary when discussing an array of issues. Therefore, it is not an easy task to assume the role of the President of the Legislative Yuan, but he knows that President Han has rich experience in both the public and private sectors and will carry out the task brilliantly. On the other hand, Speaker Francis specifically noted that in 2008, the number of seats in the Legislative Yuan was halved from 225 to 113, which is rarely seen in other nations. This showed that the legislators of the Republic of China (Taiwan) are working not for their own interests but for the benefit of the people, which is a blessing for the citizens of Taiwan. In closing, Speaker Francis talked about the visit to Taiwan this time; despite days of rain since their arrival, all members of the delegation felt at home because of the hospitality, friendliness, and enthusiasm of the people in Taiwan. He expressed his hope that the friendship between the two nations would last forever, and wished Taiwan a happy National Day.
After the meeting, President Han presented a gavel used in the sessions at the Legislative Yuan as a token of appreciation to Senate President Reynolds and Speaker Francis, highlighting the importance he attaches to and his gratitude for their visit, as the parliamentary leaders from a nation with which Taiwan has diplomatic ties. The meeting was followed by a luncheon, during which the two sides had in-depth exchanges on multiple topics, including sports development, indigenous language and culture, recent bills being viewed at the Legislative Yuan, events for Taiwan's National Day, and bilateral cooperation projects between Taiwan and Saint Lucia. The reception and luncheon came to a successful end after 1 hour and 45 minutes, where guests enjoyed a warm and friendly atmosphere.