Vice President of the Legislative Yuan Johnny C. Chiang meets three-member delegation from the Finland-Taiwan Parliamentary Friendship Group. Vice President Chiang: Finland's achievements in democracy and societal well-being offer valuable lessons for Taiwan.
Vice President of the Legislative Yuan Johnny C. Chiang meets three-member delegation from the Finland-Taiwan Parliamentary Friendship Group. Vice President Chiang: Finland's achievements in democracy and societal well-being offer valuable lessons for Taiwan.
On the afternoon of October 30, Vice President of the Legislative Yuan Johnny C. Chiang, accompanied by Legislator Yang Chiung-Ying, Caucus Convener Huang Kuo-Chang, and International Affairs Department Deputy Director Yang Fang-Ling, met with a three-member delegation from the Finland-Taiwan Parliamentary Friendship Group; Senior Member Wei Yue-Han from the Department of European Affairs under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) also accompanied the delegation.
Vice President Chiang first extended a warm welcome to the visiting guests and expressed that it was an honor to receive them on behalf of President of the Legislative Yuan Daniel K.Y. Han. He talked about the key events in Finland's history, especially the several conflicts with the Soviet Union during World War II. After the war, Finland maintained its neutrality; however, Finland decided to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) due to the outbreak of the Russo-Ukrainian War. This decision underscored the nation's adaptability and determination in its approach to safeguarding national security. Despite the changes in the international situation and the challenges that follow, Finland has remained the happiest country in the world for seven years in a row, according to the World Happiness Report published by the United Nations (UN)—an admirable achievement. Vice President Chiang hoped the visiting delegation could share how Finland has successfully built a happy society, as he wondered how Finland manages to maintain a high level of happiness among its citizens despite all the challenges faced.
Vice President Chiang also lauded Finland's remarkable achievements in safeguarding women's rights, human rights, and regional security; in addition, he thanked Finland for its firm support for Taiwan on the international stage. In terms of educational exchanges, Vice President Chiang mentioned that Taiwan has encouraged Finnish students to come to Taiwan for exchange studying programs through the Taiwan Scholarship Program of the Ministry of Education (MOE) and the Taiwan-Europe Connectivity Scholarships Program of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA). It is through such programs that the brother of Finnish Parliament Member Fatim Diarra came to Taiwan to further his education, yielding fruitful results. Lastly, Vice President Chiang emphasized that Taiwan and Finland share the core values of democracy and freedom, and there have been parliamentary friendship groups and associations established on both sides. He looked forward to making good use of these exchange platforms in the future to deepen the cooperation between both parliaments and strengthen bilateral relations.
In her remarks, Parliament Member Diarra said that this trip was their first visit to Taiwan, and they were very grateful for all the arrangements. She added that the food at Taiwan's night markets was exceptional. She also shared that upon their arrival in Taipei, they saw the Taiwan LGBT Pride Parade, which greatly highlighted Taiwan's efforts and achievements in the advocacy of democracy and human rights. Pride parades are also often seen in major cities in Finland. This is a point of similarity for both nations, which helps to unite their citizens through common values. Parliament Member Diarra noted that it is precisely because Taiwan values freedom and human rights that it can boast such dazzling achievements in technology. She stressed that all innovations and inventions would not be possible without free research and development and research results that are protected by comprehensive regulations. This is also one of the key factors for Taiwan's vigorous development in technology.
Parliament Member Diarra added that when talking to people in Taiwan, she could deeply understand the challenges caused by its neighboring country that Taiwan is facing, and Finland is no stranger to such predicaments. As for Finland's high level of happiness, in her opinion, the key is that Finnish people do not simply pursue more material enjoyment, despite Finland's rich natural resources; instead, they seek just the right amount of material life with restraint. This has been the key to achieving a happy life. Looking forward, Parliament Member Diarra expressed her hope to promote exchanges and collaboration between Taiwan and Finland, both between citizens and among businesses. She specifically noted that should the two nations operate direct flights, passengers from Taiwan will be able to reach Finland within ten hours without the need to fly over Russian airspace. If direct flights were to be operated, it would be easier for more Taiwanese people to travel to Lapland to enjoy the magnificent northern lights and experience the festive vibe at Santa Claus Village.
In her remarks, Legislator Yang Chiung-Ying agreed with Parliament Member Diarra and shared that she visited Finland as early as in 1994. She said that Finnish people are happy because, on the one hand, their cost of living is relatively lower among Nordic countries, and on the other, there are more women than men, which allows a higher percentage of female participation in public affairs. Legislator Yang added that Taiwan and Finland enjoy visa-exemption entry for nationals of both countries that permits them to stay up to six months, which has been extremely beneficial to promote bilateral exchanges. For this reason, she strongly supports the operation of direct flights between the two nations to facilitate tourism and economic and trade exchanges. Caucus Convener Huang Kuo-Chang believed that during their visit, the visiting delegation has experienced firsthand the hospitality of the people of Taiwan and its diversity, and he looked forward to more specific and in-depth exchanges and collaboration between the two nations in the future to promote bilateral relations from a long-term perspective.
Both sides then engaged in an extensive exchange of views on various topics, including the delimitation and management of constituencies, the interaction between the president, the prime minister, and parliament, the role of women in parliament, the declining birth rate, and manpower shortages. Vice President Chiang brought up Finland’s unicameral parliament system, which mirrors that of Taiwan, as well as their dual-executive system, in which the president and the prime minister are the political leaders at the same time. In response, Parliament Member Diarra elaborated that the president of Finland is responsible for foreign and national defense affairs, while the prime minister leads the nation's executive branch. In addition, since Finland joined the European Union (EU) in 2000, followed by the constitutional reform, part of the governing power held by the president was transferred to parliament. All major national decisions must be approved by all 200 members of Parliament. She added that Finland's new president, Alexander Stubb, listens to the opinions of all parties and handles national affairs in an inclusive and open manner. In response, Vice President Chiang applauded Finland's democratic system, which he was convinced could serve as reference for Taiwan. The meeting lasted approximately 50 minutes and concluded on a friendly and pleasant note, with both sides exchanging commemorative gifts and taking group photos to mark the occasion.
On the afternoon of October 30, Vice President of the Legislative Yuan Johnny C. Chiang, accompanied by Legislator Yang Chiung-Ying, Caucus Convener Huang Kuo-Chang, and International Affairs Department Deputy Director Yang Fang-Ling, met with a three-member delegation from the Finland-Taiwan Parliamentary Friendship Group; Senior Member Wei Yue-Han from the Department of European Affairs under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) also accompanied the delegation.
Vice President Chiang first extended a warm welcome to the visiting guests and expressed that it was an honor to receive them on behalf of President of the Legislative Yuan Daniel K.Y. Han. He talked about the key events in Finland's history, especially the several conflicts with the Soviet Union during World War II. After the war, Finland maintained its neutrality; however, Finland decided to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) due to the outbreak of the Russo-Ukrainian War. This decision underscored the nation's adaptability and determination in its approach to safeguarding national security. Despite the changes in the international situation and the challenges that follow, Finland has remained the happiest country in the world for seven years in a row, according to the World Happiness Report published by the United Nations (UN)—an admirable achievement. Vice President Chiang hoped the visiting delegation could share how Finland has successfully built a happy society, as he wondered how Finland manages to maintain a high level of happiness among its citizens despite all the challenges faced.
Vice President Chiang also lauded Finland's remarkable achievements in safeguarding women's rights, human rights, and regional security; in addition, he thanked Finland for its firm support for Taiwan on the international stage. In terms of educational exchanges, Vice President Chiang mentioned that Taiwan has encouraged Finnish students to come to Taiwan for exchange studying programs through the Taiwan Scholarship Program of the Ministry of Education (MOE) and the Taiwan-Europe Connectivity Scholarships Program of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA). It is through such programs that the brother of Finnish Parliament Member Fatim Diarra came to Taiwan to further his education, yielding fruitful results. Lastly, Vice President Chiang emphasized that Taiwan and Finland share the core values of democracy and freedom, and there have been parliamentary friendship groups and associations established on both sides. He looked forward to making good use of these exchange platforms in the future to deepen the cooperation between both parliaments and strengthen bilateral relations.
In her remarks, Parliament Member Diarra said that this trip was their first visit to Taiwan, and they were very grateful for all the arrangements. She added that the food at Taiwan's night markets was exceptional. She also shared that upon their arrival in Taipei, they saw the Taiwan LGBT Pride Parade, which greatly highlighted Taiwan's efforts and achievements in the advocacy of democracy and human rights. Pride parades are also often seen in major cities in Finland. This is a point of similarity for both nations, which helps to unite their citizens through common values. Parliament Member Diarra noted that it is precisely because Taiwan values freedom and human rights that it can boast such dazzling achievements in technology. She stressed that all innovations and inventions would not be possible without free research and development and research results that are protected by comprehensive regulations. This is also one of the key factors for Taiwan's vigorous development in technology.
Parliament Member Diarra added that when talking to people in Taiwan, she could deeply understand the challenges caused by its neighboring country that Taiwan is facing, and Finland is no stranger to such predicaments. As for Finland's high level of happiness, in her opinion, the key is that Finnish people do not simply pursue more material enjoyment, despite Finland's rich natural resources; instead, they seek just the right amount of material life with restraint. This has been the key to achieving a happy life. Looking forward, Parliament Member Diarra expressed her hope to promote exchanges and collaboration between Taiwan and Finland, both between citizens and among businesses. She specifically noted that should the two nations operate direct flights, passengers from Taiwan will be able to reach Finland within ten hours without the need to fly over Russian airspace. If direct flights were to be operated, it would be easier for more Taiwanese people to travel to Lapland to enjoy the magnificent northern lights and experience the festive vibe at Santa Claus Village.
In her remarks, Legislator Yang Chiung-Ying agreed with Parliament Member Diarra and shared that she visited Finland as early as in 1994. She said that Finnish people are happy because, on the one hand, their cost of living is relatively lower among Nordic countries, and on the other, there are more women than men, which allows a higher percentage of female participation in public affairs. Legislator Yang added that Taiwan and Finland enjoy visa-exemption entry for nationals of both countries that permits them to stay up to six months, which has been extremely beneficial to promote bilateral exchanges. For this reason, she strongly supports the operation of direct flights between the two nations to facilitate tourism and economic and trade exchanges. Caucus Convener Huang Kuo-Chang believed that during their visit, the visiting delegation has experienced firsthand the hospitality of the people of Taiwan and its diversity, and he looked forward to more specific and in-depth exchanges and collaboration between the two nations in the future to promote bilateral relations from a long-term perspective.
Both sides then engaged in an extensive exchange of views on various topics, including the delimitation and management of constituencies, the interaction between the president, the prime minister, and parliament, the role of women in parliament, the declining birth rate, and manpower shortages. Vice President Chiang brought up Finland’s unicameral parliament system, which mirrors that of Taiwan, as well as their dual-executive system, in which the president and the prime minister are the political leaders at the same time. In response, Parliament Member Diarra elaborated that the president of Finland is responsible for foreign and national defense affairs, while the prime minister leads the nation's executive branch. In addition, since Finland joined the European Union (EU) in 2000, followed by the constitutional reform, part of the governing power held by the president was transferred to parliament. All major national decisions must be approved by all 200 members of Parliament. She added that Finland's new president, Alexander Stubb, listens to the opinions of all parties and handles national affairs in an inclusive and open manner. In response, Vice President Chiang applauded Finland's democratic system, which he was convinced could serve as reference for Taiwan. The meeting lasted approximately 50 minutes and concluded on a friendly and pleasant note, with both sides exchanging commemorative gifts and taking group photos to mark the occasion.