Legislative Yuan President Daniel K.Y. Han receives and hosts banquet for seven-member delegation from New Zealand's All-Party Parliamentary Group on Taiwan; President Han: We extend a warm welcome to the New Zealand parliamentarians for visiting again, and we look forward to further deepening the friendly relationship between the two sides.
On the morning of April 16, Legislative Yuan President Daniel K.Y. Han, accompanied by DPP Legislator Chiu Yi-Ying, Chair of the Taiwan-Australia and New Zealand Inter-Parliamentary Amity Association, KMT Legislator Adm. Chen Yeong-Kang, TPP Legislator Dr. Liu Shu-Pin, and Director Kevin C.F. Lin of the Department of International Affairs, received and hosted a banquet for a seven-member delegation from New Zealand's All-Party Parliamentary Group on Taiwan. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Remus Li-Kuo Chen, Deputy Director-General Stephen Shu-Chih Hsu of the Department of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, and Representative Joanne Ou of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New Zealand were also in attendance.
President Han first sincerely welcomed the visit of New Zealand's All-Party Parliamentary Group to Taiwan. He went on to say that when he first hosted a delegation of New Zealand parliamentarians in April 2024, the exchange was memorable—not only due to the powerful traditional songs brought by the New Zealand parliamentarians, but also because the Taiwanese side responded by singing “We Are Family” together. He recalled the enthusiastic and friendly atmosphere, a clear demonstration of the close ties between Taiwan and New Zealand. He added that, besides traditional dances and songs, many of New Zealand’s products were well known to the people of Taiwan, including high-quality agricultural goods like milk and kiwifruit, and that iconic films shot in New Zealand, such as The Lord of the Rings and Avatar, were particularly beloved by Taiwanese audiences. President Han further remarked that in addition to New Zealand’s well-known soft beauty, such as traditional performances and products, it also displays masculine strength through the Haka and the All Blacks rugby team, achieving a balance of softness and strength. He noted that the three legislators present today represent the three party caucuses in the Legislative Yuan, jointly expressing their warmest welcome and respect for the visiting New Zealand parliamentarians.
Head of the delegation MP Stuart Smith expressed his gratitude to President Han and the legislators for taking the time to meet with them. He noted that the visiting delegation from the New Zealand Parliament is composed of members from multiple political parties, adding that despite their differing affiliations, they share a unified stance on international affairs. He went on to say that Taiwan and New Zealand share many similarities, including frequent exchanges in the field of sports. He expressed hope that this visit would further deepen the friendship between the two countries, strengthen both official and people-to-people exchanges, and enhance bilateral economic and trade relations.
Joint head of the delegation MP Tangi Utikere expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome extended by the people of Taiwan and the Legislative Yuan. As this is his first visit to Taiwan, he noted that in addition to official meetings with government agencies, the delegation also visited an indigenous community in Wulai. He said he believes such experiences can help foster mutual understanding and strengthen bilateral exchanges on indigenous affairs. Given the tight schedule of this visit, he expressed his hope to return to Taiwan in the future. He also look forwarded to taking advantage of this valuable opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogue with the attending legislators and to share the common values that both sides hold dear.
DPP Legislator Chiu Yi-Ying expressed her delight in hearing that the delegation’s visit to Taiwan had been filled with meaningful and memorable experiences, and that they also had the opportunity to meet with the warm and hospitable President Han. She added that while Taiwan and New Zealand share a long-standing and robust political and economic relationship, the world now stands at a critical juncture as it faces global tariff challenges posed by the U.S. Against that backdrop, she expressed hope that cooperation between the two countries could grow even closer and deeper, adding that Taiwan also looked forward to New Zealand’s support for its accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership（CPTPP）. She also extended a warm invitation to the New Zealand parliamentarians to visit Kaohsiung on their next trip to Taiwan, where they can experience the hospitality of southern Taiwan and the richness of Taiwan’s diverse culture. Following an exchange of gifts, Representative Ou joined the New Zealand delegates in an impromptu and deeply moving performance of a Māori song, expressing their heartfelt and sincere wishes for Taiwan in a warm and friendly atmosphere.
During the luncheon exchange, Legislator Adm. Chen Yeong-Kang remarked that both Taiwan and New Zealand are island nations that share the core values of freedom, democracy, and human rights. He noted that there are many areas where the two countries can learn from one another and collaborate, and he expressed hope that their friendly and cooperative ties will continue to deepen. Legislator Dr. Liu Shu-Pin expressed her pleasure at the opportunity to gain deeper insights into New Zealand through this exchange and to learn from each other’s strengths. She admired how parliamentarians from different parties in New Zealand could sit together and get along peacefully, and expressed hope that Taiwan’s parties could draw inspiration from this to work together for the betterment of Taiwan's international standing and national development. During the luncheon, the two sides also engaged in wide-ranging discussions on topics including the similarities and differences between Taiwan and New Zealand’s electoral systems, legislative procedures, technological and cultural-educational exchanges, as well as the challenges posed by declining birthrates and aging populations. The luncheon lasted approximately one hour and thirty minutes and was marked by a relaxed and lively atmosphere, with all participants enjoying the exchange.
Following the luncheon, the delegation, accompanied by staff from the Department of International Affairs, viewed an introductory video about the Legislative Yuan and toured the parliamentary chamber. There, they happened to meet a visiting group from the Rotary Club of Changhua County. The two groups warmly posed for photos together and even shared songs, creating a heartfelt and friendly atmosphere. The delegation later held a discussion with DPP Legislator Chiu Yi-Ying, Chair of the Taiwan-Australia and New Zealand Inter-Parliamentary Amity Association, as well as DPP Legislator Lin Chu-Yin and KMT Legislator Adm. Chen Yeong-Kang of the Foreign and National Defense Committee. The dialogue focused on numerous issues of mutual concern, and both sides found the exchange highly rewarding. Both sides agreed to maintain close communication and promote future reciprocal visits to further strengthen their friendship.
President Han first sincerely welcomed the visit of New Zealand's All-Party Parliamentary Group to Taiwan. He went on to say that when he first hosted a delegation of New Zealand parliamentarians in April 2024, the exchange was memorable—not only due to the powerful traditional songs brought by the New Zealand parliamentarians, but also because the Taiwanese side responded by singing “We Are Family” together. He recalled the enthusiastic and friendly atmosphere, a clear demonstration of the close ties between Taiwan and New Zealand. He added that, besides traditional dances and songs, many of New Zealand’s products were well known to the people of Taiwan, including high-quality agricultural goods like milk and kiwifruit, and that iconic films shot in New Zealand, such as The Lord of the Rings and Avatar, were particularly beloved by Taiwanese audiences. President Han further remarked that in addition to New Zealand’s well-known soft beauty, such as traditional performances and products, it also displays masculine strength through the Haka and the All Blacks rugby team, achieving a balance of softness and strength. He noted that the three legislators present today represent the three party caucuses in the Legislative Yuan, jointly expressing their warmest welcome and respect for the visiting New Zealand parliamentarians.
Head of the delegation MP Stuart Smith expressed his gratitude to President Han and the legislators for taking the time to meet with them. He noted that the visiting delegation from the New Zealand Parliament is composed of members from multiple political parties, adding that despite their differing affiliations, they share a unified stance on international affairs. He went on to say that Taiwan and New Zealand share many similarities, including frequent exchanges in the field of sports. He expressed hope that this visit would further deepen the friendship between the two countries, strengthen both official and people-to-people exchanges, and enhance bilateral economic and trade relations.
Joint head of the delegation MP Tangi Utikere expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome extended by the people of Taiwan and the Legislative Yuan. As this is his first visit to Taiwan, he noted that in addition to official meetings with government agencies, the delegation also visited an indigenous community in Wulai. He said he believes such experiences can help foster mutual understanding and strengthen bilateral exchanges on indigenous affairs. Given the tight schedule of this visit, he expressed his hope to return to Taiwan in the future. He also look forwarded to taking advantage of this valuable opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogue with the attending legislators and to share the common values that both sides hold dear.
DPP Legislator Chiu Yi-Ying expressed her delight in hearing that the delegation’s visit to Taiwan had been filled with meaningful and memorable experiences, and that they also had the opportunity to meet with the warm and hospitable President Han. She added that while Taiwan and New Zealand share a long-standing and robust political and economic relationship, the world now stands at a critical juncture as it faces global tariff challenges posed by the U.S. Against that backdrop, she expressed hope that cooperation between the two countries could grow even closer and deeper, adding that Taiwan also looked forward to New Zealand’s support for its accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership（CPTPP）. She also extended a warm invitation to the New Zealand parliamentarians to visit Kaohsiung on their next trip to Taiwan, where they can experience the hospitality of southern Taiwan and the richness of Taiwan’s diverse culture. Following an exchange of gifts, Representative Ou joined the New Zealand delegates in an impromptu and deeply moving performance of a Māori song, expressing their heartfelt and sincere wishes for Taiwan in a warm and friendly atmosphere.
During the luncheon exchange, Legislator Adm. Chen Yeong-Kang remarked that both Taiwan and New Zealand are island nations that share the core values of freedom, democracy, and human rights. He noted that there are many areas where the two countries can learn from one another and collaborate, and he expressed hope that their friendly and cooperative ties will continue to deepen. Legislator Dr. Liu Shu-Pin expressed her pleasure at the opportunity to gain deeper insights into New Zealand through this exchange and to learn from each other’s strengths. She admired how parliamentarians from different parties in New Zealand could sit together and get along peacefully, and expressed hope that Taiwan’s parties could draw inspiration from this to work together for the betterment of Taiwan's international standing and national development. During the luncheon, the two sides also engaged in wide-ranging discussions on topics including the similarities and differences between Taiwan and New Zealand’s electoral systems, legislative procedures, technological and cultural-educational exchanges, as well as the challenges posed by declining birthrates and aging populations. The luncheon lasted approximately one hour and thirty minutes and was marked by a relaxed and lively atmosphere, with all participants enjoying the exchange.
Following the luncheon, the delegation, accompanied by staff from the Department of International Affairs, viewed an introductory video about the Legislative Yuan and toured the parliamentary chamber. There, they happened to meet a visiting group from the Rotary Club of Changhua County. The two groups warmly posed for photos together and even shared songs, creating a heartfelt and friendly atmosphere. The delegation later held a discussion with DPP Legislator Chiu Yi-Ying, Chair of the Taiwan-Australia and New Zealand Inter-Parliamentary Amity Association, as well as DPP Legislator Lin Chu-Yin and KMT Legislator Adm. Chen Yeong-Kang of the Foreign and National Defense Committee. The dialogue focused on numerous issues of mutual concern, and both sides found the exchange highly rewarding. Both sides agreed to maintain close communication and promote future reciprocal visits to further strengthen their friendship.