Legislative Yuan President Daniel K.Y. Han meets with delegation of leaders and members of the 2025 Federation of Alumni Association of Taiwan Universities, Malaysia; President Han: Taiwan continues to expand parliamentary diplomacy and establish friendly relations with countries worldwide.
Upon President Han’s arrival, members of the Federation of Alumni Association of Taiwan Universities, Malaysia (FAATUM) rose and applauded, setting a lively tone for the event. President Han responded with a warm welcome and joined the guests and attending legislators for a group photo. He emphasized that the presence of representatives from all three parties underscored the high regard they hold for the FAATUM. He noted that the guests, who studied at various universities across Taiwan, had spent some of their most memorable years in Taiwan and experienced its beauty firsthand.
President Han likened Taiwan to an egg, which appears as simple food from the outside but harbors life within, demonstrating vibrant vitality. He added that although Taiwan is just one-ninth the size of Malaysia and has a smaller population, it demonstrates remarkable strength and diversity. From TSMC’s dominance in global supply chains to the manufacturing of small components like automotive parts and screws, Taiwan has produced countless “hidden champions” across both traditional and high-tech industries. Meanwhile, Malaysia, with a population approaching 35 million by 2025, is quickly emerging as a rising star in Southeast Asia. President Han also mentioned that in recent years the Johor region near Singapore has become a magnet for Taiwanese investment. By 2023, Taiwan’s investment in Malaysia totaled US$630 million and is expected to exceed US$1 billion, underscoring the strength of bilateral economic and trade relations. He also emphasized that the FAATUM plays a pivotal role in advancing these relations—not only by supporting the Taiwanese government’s New Southbound Policy and helping underprivileged Malaysian students study in Taiwan, but also by embodying the proverb: “Better a near neighbor than a distant relative.”
President Kenny Pang of the FAATUM expressed heartfelt thanks to President Han and the legislators for taking the time to meet with the delegation. He noted that this was the FAATUM’s first official visit to the Legislative Yuan, making the occasion especially meaningful. He also expressed his appreciation to both the Legislative Yuan and the OCAC for their thoughtful arrangements, which made the visit truly memorable. President Pang emphasized the longstanding nature of Taiwan-Malaysia ties, stating that education has long been the deepest bond between the two countries since, over the past 70 years, Taiwan has supported the education of over 100,000 Malaysian students. He also introduced the FAATUM’s 2024 initiative: “Building Bridges to Taiwan, Sharing a Brighter Future,” aimed at promoting Taiwan’s higher education to remote areas of Malaysia and further strengthening Taiwan-Malaysia relations.
President Pang noted that while international competition in higher education is intensifying and the number of Malaysian students studying in Taiwan has slightly decreased, he deeply appreciates Taiwan’s continued support for educational collaboration through the New Southbound Policy. He expressed hope for increased exchanges in the fields of high technology and culture, and for President Han to help facilitate greater opportunities for Malaysian Chinese youth to pursue their studies in Taiwan and experience its high-quality academic environment.
During the exchange, Legislator Chen Yeong-Kang thanked the FAATUM for the visit, which provided Taiwan’s legislature with the opportunity for in-person dialogue with outstanding alumni. He stressed that, despite global challenges, Taiwan and Malaysia could continue to cultivate exceptional talent by placing education at the forefront and investing in solid academic foundations.
Legislator Chung Chia-Pin shared that, during his decade-plus tenure at the Legislative Yuan, he had accompanied the President Han in welcoming many overseas delegations, including Taiwanese chambers of commerce, overseas Taiwanese associations, and overseas Chinese associations. However, this was his first time meeting with the FAATUM, making the moment particularly meaningful. He noted that many Taiwanese first learn about Malaysia through interactions with Malaysian students before traveling there themselves. Recalling his first visit to Malaysia ten years ago, he mentioned that he had been deeply impressed by the country’s rich natural resources and economic development, and added that in recent years, he had visited Johor Bahru and Johor, and expressed hope to collect all 13 Malaysian state flags as a personal goal. Looking ahead, he expressed optimism about strengthening Taiwan-Malaysia cooperation in education, healthcare, and agriculture. With Malaysia now a member of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), he also hoped the FAATUM could support Taiwan’s accession to the agreement, which could lead to broader global engagement for Taiwan.
Legislator Liu Shu-Pin, recently sworn in as a member of the Legislative Yuan, shared her experiences visiting Malaysia’s Ipoh and Johor Bahru during her time teaching at Soochow University’s Department of Political Science. She expressed admiration for Malaysia’s Chinese community, which continues to preserve Chinese cultural traditions despite making up just 23% of the population. In light of Taiwan’s declining birth rate, she hoped that Taiwan and Malaysia could strengthen collaboration in education and technology, creating mutually beneficial opportunities for both nations.
President Han concluded by acknowledging Taiwan’s diplomatic challenges and emphasizing the vital role of parliamentary diplomacy. He highlighted the Legislative Yuan’s proactive efforts in fostering international connections by welcoming distinguished guests from around the world. Through genuine engagement, the goal is to leave visitors with a positive impression of Taiwan, amplifying the lasting impact of parliamentary diplomacy. He reaffirmed his commitment to continuously expanding parliamentary diplomacy to establish friendly relations with countries worldwide. He also urged the OCAC to continue prioritizing overseas compatriot education and called for stronger coordination with the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Culture to promote related policies. President Han further added that the Legislative Yuan will remain a strong supporter of overseas compatriot education, and expressed his hope of visiting Malaysia in the future to further strengthen Taiwan-Malaysia ties.
Both sides then engaged in extensive discussions on topics such as technological collaboration, economic and trade cooperation, and the promotion of higher education. The meeting, which lasted approximately 50 minutes, took place in a relaxed and cordial atmosphere, and concluded successfully with an exchange of commemorative gifts and a group photo.
On the afternoon of March 24, Legislative Yuan President Daniel K.Y. Han, accompanied by KMT Legislator Adm. Chen Yeong-Kang, DPP Legislator Chung Chia-Pin, TPP Legislator Dr. Liu Shu-Pin, Director of the Department of International Affairs Kevin C.F. Lin, and Deputy Minister Zhang Liang-Min of the Overseas Community Affairs Council (OCAC), met with a delegation of leaders and members of the 2025 Federation of Alumni Association of Taiwan Universities, Malaysia.
Upon President Han’s arrival, members of the Federation of Alumni Association of Taiwan Universities, Malaysia (FAATUM) rose and applauded, setting a lively tone for the event. President Han responded with a warm welcome and joined the guests and attending legislators for a group photo. He emphasized that the presence of representatives from all three parties underscored the high regard they hold for the FAATUM. He noted that the guests, who studied at various universities across Taiwan, had spent some of their most memorable years in Taiwan and experienced its beauty firsthand.
President Han likened Taiwan to an egg, which appears as simple food from the outside but harbors life within, demonstrating vibrant vitality. He added that although Taiwan is just one-ninth the size of Malaysia and has a smaller population, it demonstrates remarkable strength and diversity. From TSMC’s dominance in global supply chains to the manufacturing of small components like automotive parts and screws, Taiwan has produced countless “hidden champions” across both traditional and high-tech industries. Meanwhile, Malaysia, with a population approaching 35 million by 2025, is quickly emerging as a rising star in Southeast Asia. President Han also mentioned that in recent years the Johor region near Singapore has become a magnet for Taiwanese investment. By 2023, Taiwan’s investment in Malaysia totaled US$630 million and is expected to exceed US$1 billion, underscoring the strength of bilateral economic and trade relations. He also emphasized that the FAATUM plays a pivotal role in advancing these relations—not only by supporting the Taiwanese government’s New Southbound Policy and helping underprivileged Malaysian students study in Taiwan, but also by embodying the proverb: “Better a near neighbor than a distant relative.”
President Kenny Pang of the FAATUM expressed heartfelt thanks to President Han and the legislators for taking the time to meet with the delegation. He noted that this was the FAATUM’s first official visit to the Legislative Yuan, making the occasion especially meaningful. He also expressed his appreciation to both the Legislative Yuan and the OCAC for their thoughtful arrangements, which made the visit truly memorable. President Pang emphasized the longstanding nature of Taiwan-Malaysia ties, stating that education has long been the deepest bond between the two countries since, over the past 70 years, Taiwan has supported the education of over 100,000 Malaysian students. He also introduced the FAATUM’s 2024 initiative: “Building Bridges to Taiwan, Sharing a Brighter Future,” aimed at promoting Taiwan’s higher education to remote areas of Malaysia and further strengthening Taiwan-Malaysia relations.
President Pang noted that while international competition in higher education is intensifying and the number of Malaysian students studying in Taiwan has slightly decreased, he deeply appreciates Taiwan’s continued support for educational collaboration through the New Southbound Policy. He expressed hope for increased exchanges in the fields of high technology and culture, and for President Han to help facilitate greater opportunities for Malaysian Chinese youth to pursue their studies in Taiwan and experience its high-quality academic environment.
During the exchange, Legislator Chen Yeong-Kang thanked the FAATUM for the visit, which provided Taiwan’s legislature with the opportunity for in-person dialogue with outstanding alumni. He stressed that, despite global challenges, Taiwan and Malaysia could continue to cultivate exceptional talent by placing education at the forefront and investing in solid academic foundations.
Legislator Chung Chia-Pin shared that, during his decade-plus tenure at the Legislative Yuan, he had accompanied the President Han in welcoming many overseas delegations, including Taiwanese chambers of commerce, overseas Taiwanese associations, and overseas Chinese associations. However, this was his first time meeting with the FAATUM, making the moment particularly meaningful. He noted that many Taiwanese first learn about Malaysia through interactions with Malaysian students before traveling there themselves. Recalling his first visit to Malaysia ten years ago, he mentioned that he had been deeply impressed by the country’s rich natural resources and economic development, and added that in recent years, he had visited Johor Bahru and Johor, and expressed hope to collect all 13 Malaysian state flags as a personal goal. Looking ahead, he expressed optimism about strengthening Taiwan-Malaysia cooperation in education, healthcare, and agriculture. With Malaysia now a member of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), he also hoped the FAATUM could support Taiwan’s accession to the agreement, which could lead to broader global engagement for Taiwan.
Legislator Liu Shu-Pin, recently sworn in as a member of the Legislative Yuan, shared her experiences visiting Malaysia’s Ipoh and Johor Bahru during her time teaching at Soochow University’s Department of Political Science. She expressed admiration for Malaysia’s Chinese community, which continues to preserve Chinese cultural traditions despite making up just 23% of the population. In light of Taiwan’s declining birth rate, she hoped that Taiwan and Malaysia could strengthen collaboration in education and technology, creating mutually beneficial opportunities for both nations.
President Han concluded by acknowledging Taiwan’s diplomatic challenges and emphasizing the vital role of parliamentary diplomacy. He highlighted the Legislative Yuan’s proactive efforts in fostering international connections by welcoming distinguished guests from around the world. Through genuine engagement, the goal is to leave visitors with a positive impression of Taiwan, amplifying the lasting impact of parliamentary diplomacy. He reaffirmed his commitment to continuously expanding parliamentary diplomacy to establish friendly relations with countries worldwide. He also urged the OCAC to continue prioritizing overseas compatriot education and called for stronger coordination with the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Culture to promote related policies. President Han further added that the Legislative Yuan will remain a strong supporter of overseas compatriot education, and expressed his hope of visiting Malaysia in the future to further strengthen Taiwan-Malaysia ties.
Both sides then engaged in extensive discussions on topics such as technological collaboration, economic and trade cooperation, and the promotion of higher education. The meeting, which lasted approximately 50 minutes, took place in a relaxed and cordial atmosphere, and concluded successfully with an exchange of commemorative gifts and a group photo.