Legislative Yuan President Daniel K.Y. Han and Vice President Johnny C. Chiang meet with visiting delegation from the Foreign Trade and Development Committee of the Dutch House of Representatives
On the afternoon of November 1, President Daniel K.Y. Han and Vice President Johnny C. Chiang of the Legislative Yuan, accompanied by KMT Legislators Hsu Yu-Chen and Alice Chang, DPP Legislator Hsu Chih-Chieh, TPP Legislator Mai Yu-Chen, and Director of the International Affairs Department Kevin C.F. Lin, met with a 12-member delegation from the Foreign Trade and Development Committee of the Dutch House of Representatives. Deputy Secretary General Lee Hsio-Yao of the Department of European Affairs and other members were also present.
President Han first extended a warm welcome to the visiting guests. After taking a group photo with attending legislators and guests, he noted that the Netherlands and Taiwan are similar to twin brothers, sharing remarkable similarities in size, population, and fighting spirit, as well as boasting a strong vitality. President Han further said the Legislative Yuan is a unicameral parliament, and among its 113 legislators, 47 members are female, comprising 41%, with every legislator playing a significant role. He added that although there are occasionally heated debates due to diverging opinions on certain issues, all legislators extend the utmost warmth in welcoming our honored guests, and share a collective hope that the country can further progress and prosper.
Chairperson of the Foreign Trade and Development Committee of the Dutch House of Representatives Aukje De Vries first mentioned that in recent years, Taiwan-related issues have been frequently discussed in the Dutch Parliament. The Netherlands was also the first country in Europe to pass a Taiwan-friendly motion in response to the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758. She noted that many elections are taking place globally this year. She also mentioned the Netherlands paid close attention to Taiwan’s general elections at the beginning of the year, wanting to get insights on how the Legislative Yuan responds to the challenges of a democratic system and safeguard its core values with no single party holding a majority among the three main parties. She said the delegation was also interested in discussing other issues, including how advanced countries can respond to an aging population and how to ensure the quality of life and wage level of the next generation, with the hope to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with Taiwan.
Vice President Chiang said though Taiwan and the Netherlands are situated at opposite ends of the globe, both countries share a deep historical connection. This year marks the 400th year anniversary of the establishment of relations between Taiwan and the Netherlands. He noted that, in recent years, the bilateral relationship between both nations has grown steadily, and he looked forward to a renewed alliance extending into the next four centuries. He pointed out that besides a prosperous trade relationship, parliaments in both countries also enjoy frequent interactions. He looked forward to enhanced cooperation and interactions between Taiwan and the Netherlands in the future.
Legislator Hsu Yu-Chen welcomed Dutch guests to Taiwan, commenting that the ten visiting members of the parliament are a “perfect ten.” She further noted that the Netherlands is the largest agricultural export country in the EU, whereas Yunlin is the largest agricultural county in Taiwan. She urged the guests to explore Yunlin on their next trip to further foster friendship and mutual understanding.
Legislator Alice Chang likened Dutch guests to visitors coming from a beautiful fairy-tale homeland. She gave special thanks to the Netherlands for voicing support for Taiwan on the international stage. She expressed her admiration for the Netherlands, highlighting its renowned bicycles, computer goods, agriculture, and semiconductor industry, along with its remarkably productive agriculture sector. She expressed her hope for the Netherlands to enhance collaboration and interactions with Yunlin County soon.
Legislator Hsu Chih-Chieh expressed his appreciation to the Netherlands for speaking on behalf of Taiwan in the international arena, dispatching naval vessels to pass through the Taiwan Strait to support Taiwan’s democracy and the Indo-Pacific’s open and free order, as well as for passing a Taiwan-friendly motion after Resolution 2758 of the United Nations General Assembly, which China misinterpreted. He added that Taiwan will persist in its efforts to collaborate with like-minded democratic nations in pursuit of shared goals, and he wished for more future collaborations between Taiwan and the Netherlands to promote joint prosperity and development.
Legislator Mai Yu-Chen commented that this year commemorates 400 years of relations between the Netherlands and Taiwan, demonstrating the strong connection between the two nations. The passage of Dutch naval vessels through the Taiwan Strait this May was especially important and significant in that it helped safeguard the peace and stability of the Taiwan Strait and the Indo-Pacific region.
President Han lastly wanted visitors to remember that Taiwan will always welcome them while traveling through Asia, and hoped to maintain the 400-year friendship between both nations. He also mentioned that the more the Netherlands speaks up for Taiwan on the international stage, the safer Taiwan will be. He hoped that the two countries can have closer cooperation and exchanges in the future to create a win-win situation.
President Han and legislators in attendance exchanged views with the members of the delegation regarding agricultural development, nuclear energy, semiconductor industry, aging population, loss of human capital, cyber security, and support for Taiwan’s international participation in a friendly and warm atmosphere. The meeting lasted approximately 75 minutes and came to a successful end after both sides exchanged commemorative gifts.
President Han first extended a warm welcome to the visiting guests. After taking a group photo with attending legislators and guests, he noted that the Netherlands and Taiwan are similar to twin brothers, sharing remarkable similarities in size, population, and fighting spirit, as well as boasting a strong vitality. President Han further said the Legislative Yuan is a unicameral parliament, and among its 113 legislators, 47 members are female, comprising 41%, with every legislator playing a significant role. He added that although there are occasionally heated debates due to diverging opinions on certain issues, all legislators extend the utmost warmth in welcoming our honored guests, and share a collective hope that the country can further progress and prosper.
Chairperson of the Foreign Trade and Development Committee of the Dutch House of Representatives Aukje De Vries first mentioned that in recent years, Taiwan-related issues have been frequently discussed in the Dutch Parliament. The Netherlands was also the first country in Europe to pass a Taiwan-friendly motion in response to the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758. She noted that many elections are taking place globally this year. She also mentioned the Netherlands paid close attention to Taiwan’s general elections at the beginning of the year, wanting to get insights on how the Legislative Yuan responds to the challenges of a democratic system and safeguard its core values with no single party holding a majority among the three main parties. She said the delegation was also interested in discussing other issues, including how advanced countries can respond to an aging population and how to ensure the quality of life and wage level of the next generation, with the hope to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with Taiwan.
Vice President Chiang said though Taiwan and the Netherlands are situated at opposite ends of the globe, both countries share a deep historical connection. This year marks the 400th year anniversary of the establishment of relations between Taiwan and the Netherlands. He noted that, in recent years, the bilateral relationship between both nations has grown steadily, and he looked forward to a renewed alliance extending into the next four centuries. He pointed out that besides a prosperous trade relationship, parliaments in both countries also enjoy frequent interactions. He looked forward to enhanced cooperation and interactions between Taiwan and the Netherlands in the future.
Legislator Hsu Yu-Chen welcomed Dutch guests to Taiwan, commenting that the ten visiting members of the parliament are a “perfect ten.” She further noted that the Netherlands is the largest agricultural export country in the EU, whereas Yunlin is the largest agricultural county in Taiwan. She urged the guests to explore Yunlin on their next trip to further foster friendship and mutual understanding.
Legislator Alice Chang likened Dutch guests to visitors coming from a beautiful fairy-tale homeland. She gave special thanks to the Netherlands for voicing support for Taiwan on the international stage. She expressed her admiration for the Netherlands, highlighting its renowned bicycles, computer goods, agriculture, and semiconductor industry, along with its remarkably productive agriculture sector. She expressed her hope for the Netherlands to enhance collaboration and interactions with Yunlin County soon.
Legislator Hsu Chih-Chieh expressed his appreciation to the Netherlands for speaking on behalf of Taiwan in the international arena, dispatching naval vessels to pass through the Taiwan Strait to support Taiwan’s democracy and the Indo-Pacific’s open and free order, as well as for passing a Taiwan-friendly motion after Resolution 2758 of the United Nations General Assembly, which China misinterpreted. He added that Taiwan will persist in its efforts to collaborate with like-minded democratic nations in pursuit of shared goals, and he wished for more future collaborations between Taiwan and the Netherlands to promote joint prosperity and development.
Legislator Mai Yu-Chen commented that this year commemorates 400 years of relations between the Netherlands and Taiwan, demonstrating the strong connection between the two nations. The passage of Dutch naval vessels through the Taiwan Strait this May was especially important and significant in that it helped safeguard the peace and stability of the Taiwan Strait and the Indo-Pacific region.
President Han lastly wanted visitors to remember that Taiwan will always welcome them while traveling through Asia, and hoped to maintain the 400-year friendship between both nations. He also mentioned that the more the Netherlands speaks up for Taiwan on the international stage, the safer Taiwan will be. He hoped that the two countries can have closer cooperation and exchanges in the future to create a win-win situation.
President Han and legislators in attendance exchanged views with the members of the delegation regarding agricultural development, nuclear energy, semiconductor industry, aging population, loss of human capital, cyber security, and support for Taiwan’s international participation in a friendly and warm atmosphere. The meeting lasted approximately 75 minutes and came to a successful end after both sides exchanged commemorative gifts.