Legislative Yuan President Daniel K.Y. Han attends the opening ceremony of the 53rd APPU General Assembly
On the morning of August 28, Legislative Yuan President Daniel K. Y. Han, accompanied by a cross-party group of legislators—including KMT Legislators Dr. Hsieh Yi-Fong, Adm. Chen Yeong-Kang, Dr. Lin Chien-Chi, and Chen Ching-Hui; DPP Legislators Dr. Wang Ting-Yu, Dr. Puma Shen, and Ngalim Tiunn; and TPP Legislator Chen Gau-Tzu—as well as Deputy Secretary General Dr. Chang Yu-Jung, presided over the opening ceremony of the 53rd Asian-Pacific Parliamentarians’ Union (APPU) General Assembly in his capacity as Chair. The event was attended by President Lai Ching-Te, members of delegations from APPU member states, Ambassador Suzuki Eiichi of the APPU Central Secretariat, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Ger Bau-Shuan, and nearly one hundred distinguished guests, marking a solemn and formal occasion.
The emcee first invited Yamaguchi Shunichi, Member of Japan’s House of Representatives, Chair of the previous (52nd) APPU General Assembly, and Head of the Japanese delegation, to deliver remarks. House Member Yamaguchi stated that he was honored to attend this year’s APPU General Assembly in Taiwan. He noted that many countries in the Asia-Pacific region have become important members of the APPU, and extended a warm welcome to the delegations from Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, both of which participated in the previous assembly and have again sent representatives this year. House Member Yamaguchi went on to note that the international situation is becoming increasingly complex and that many countries are facing heightened uncertainty. He stressed that this year’s theme—Strengthening Societal Resilience and Parliamentary Cooperation in the Asia-Pacific Region: Energy Security, Sustainable Economies, and Critical Infrastructure—is both timely and relevant, and expressed hope that participants would engage in meaningful discussions and exchanges over the next two days that would lead to fruitful outcomes. He then nominated Legislative Yuan President Han of the Republic of China (Taiwan) to serve as Chair of the 53rd General Assembly, and the proposal was unanimously approved with applause.
In his remarks, President Han expressed his honor at serving as Chair and at Taiwan’s hosting of the APPU 87th Council Meeting and 53rd General Assembly in 2025. He warmly welcomed delegations from Taiwan’s diplomatic allies—Palau, the Marshall Islands, and Tuvalu—as well as from Japan, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands, noting that their long journeys to Taiwan demonstrate firm support for multilateral cooperation and for the APPU.
President Han continued by noting that the APPU was founded in 1965 by the late former Japanese Prime Minister Kishi Nobusuke and House Member Kaya Okinori, among others, on the principles of freedom, democracy, and anti-communism, with a mission to promote exchanges across the Asia-Pacific. He emphasized that in today’s rapidly changing international landscape, Taiwan remains a steadfast partner in the global democratic community, firmly committed to the values of freedom and democracy, adding that Taiwan continues to work closely with its partners to tackle shared challenges and contribute its efforts. President Han highlighted that over the years, Taiwan has built extensive experience in climate adaptation, disaster prevention and response, and strengthening societal resilience, and has long shared this knowledge with its diplomatic allies and like-minded international partners. He therefore expressed the hope that APPU member states would continue to support Taiwan’s meaningful participation in the mechanisms, meetings, and activities of major international organizations so as to further strengthen close and mutually beneficial partnerships.
President Han further noted that this year’s theme—Strengthening Societal Resilience and Parliamentary Cooperation in the Asia-Pacific Region: Energy Security, Sustainable Economies, and Critical Infrastructure—addresses three issues that are vital to national survival and development. He looked forward to two days of in-depth dialogue and exchange among delegations to carry forward the APPU’s core concerns and mission, thereby enhancing stability and resilience across the Asia-Pacific.
Finally, President Han invited the distinguished guests to take time outside the meetings to experience Taiwan’s rich and diverse culture, expressing the hope that their visit would leave many wonderful and lasting memories.
Following President Han’s address, the emcee invited President Lai Ching-Te to speak. President Lai began by extending a sincere welcome, on behalf of the government of the Republic of China (Taiwan), to the distinguished guests from APPU member states who traveled from afar to attend the 53rd General Assembly. He noted that this year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the APPU, and thanked the Legislative Yuan for taking on the important responsibility of hosting the event. He also expressed his appreciation to all member countries for using this platform over the years to promote parliamentary exchanges and cooperation that have contributed to Asia’s prosperity. President Lai went on to highlight that the assembly’s key focus areas closely reflect the challenges facing the Asia-Pacific region, including climate change and geopolitical risks. He stated that Taiwan will take three concrete steps to deepen cooperation: implementing the “Four Pillars for Peace and Prosperity” action plan to demonstrate its commitment to safeguarding regional peace, strengthening collaboration with its diplomatic allies to promote shared prosperity and development, and leveraging the APPU platform to enhance parliamentary cooperation between Taiwan and other countries in Asia. He concluded by expressing his hope that the discussions and exchanges at the assembly would enable participating countries to work together in finding effective solutions, and he wished the event every success.
After his remarks, President Lai joined President Han, Vice President Johnny C. Chiang, Vice Minister Ger, and distinguished guests from the delegations for a group photo on stage, officially inaugurating the 53rd APPU General Assembly.
The emcee first invited Yamaguchi Shunichi, Member of Japan’s House of Representatives, Chair of the previous (52nd) APPU General Assembly, and Head of the Japanese delegation, to deliver remarks. House Member Yamaguchi stated that he was honored to attend this year’s APPU General Assembly in Taiwan. He noted that many countries in the Asia-Pacific region have become important members of the APPU, and extended a warm welcome to the delegations from Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, both of which participated in the previous assembly and have again sent representatives this year. House Member Yamaguchi went on to note that the international situation is becoming increasingly complex and that many countries are facing heightened uncertainty. He stressed that this year’s theme—Strengthening Societal Resilience and Parliamentary Cooperation in the Asia-Pacific Region: Energy Security, Sustainable Economies, and Critical Infrastructure—is both timely and relevant, and expressed hope that participants would engage in meaningful discussions and exchanges over the next two days that would lead to fruitful outcomes. He then nominated Legislative Yuan President Han of the Republic of China (Taiwan) to serve as Chair of the 53rd General Assembly, and the proposal was unanimously approved with applause.
In his remarks, President Han expressed his honor at serving as Chair and at Taiwan’s hosting of the APPU 87th Council Meeting and 53rd General Assembly in 2025. He warmly welcomed delegations from Taiwan’s diplomatic allies—Palau, the Marshall Islands, and Tuvalu—as well as from Japan, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands, noting that their long journeys to Taiwan demonstrate firm support for multilateral cooperation and for the APPU.
President Han continued by noting that the APPU was founded in 1965 by the late former Japanese Prime Minister Kishi Nobusuke and House Member Kaya Okinori, among others, on the principles of freedom, democracy, and anti-communism, with a mission to promote exchanges across the Asia-Pacific. He emphasized that in today’s rapidly changing international landscape, Taiwan remains a steadfast partner in the global democratic community, firmly committed to the values of freedom and democracy, adding that Taiwan continues to work closely with its partners to tackle shared challenges and contribute its efforts. President Han highlighted that over the years, Taiwan has built extensive experience in climate adaptation, disaster prevention and response, and strengthening societal resilience, and has long shared this knowledge with its diplomatic allies and like-minded international partners. He therefore expressed the hope that APPU member states would continue to support Taiwan’s meaningful participation in the mechanisms, meetings, and activities of major international organizations so as to further strengthen close and mutually beneficial partnerships.
President Han further noted that this year’s theme—Strengthening Societal Resilience and Parliamentary Cooperation in the Asia-Pacific Region: Energy Security, Sustainable Economies, and Critical Infrastructure—addresses three issues that are vital to national survival and development. He looked forward to two days of in-depth dialogue and exchange among delegations to carry forward the APPU’s core concerns and mission, thereby enhancing stability and resilience across the Asia-Pacific.
Finally, President Han invited the distinguished guests to take time outside the meetings to experience Taiwan’s rich and diverse culture, expressing the hope that their visit would leave many wonderful and lasting memories.
Following President Han’s address, the emcee invited President Lai Ching-Te to speak. President Lai began by extending a sincere welcome, on behalf of the government of the Republic of China (Taiwan), to the distinguished guests from APPU member states who traveled from afar to attend the 53rd General Assembly. He noted that this year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the APPU, and thanked the Legislative Yuan for taking on the important responsibility of hosting the event. He also expressed his appreciation to all member countries for using this platform over the years to promote parliamentary exchanges and cooperation that have contributed to Asia’s prosperity. President Lai went on to highlight that the assembly’s key focus areas closely reflect the challenges facing the Asia-Pacific region, including climate change and geopolitical risks. He stated that Taiwan will take three concrete steps to deepen cooperation: implementing the “Four Pillars for Peace and Prosperity” action plan to demonstrate its commitment to safeguarding regional peace, strengthening collaboration with its diplomatic allies to promote shared prosperity and development, and leveraging the APPU platform to enhance parliamentary cooperation between Taiwan and other countries in Asia. He concluded by expressing his hope that the discussions and exchanges at the assembly would enable participating countries to work together in finding effective solutions, and he wished the event every success.
After his remarks, President Lai joined President Han, Vice President Johnny C. Chiang, Vice Minister Ger, and distinguished guests from the delegations for a group photo on stage, officially inaugurating the 53rd APPU General Assembly.