Legislative Yuan Vice President Johnny C. Chiang hosts welcome banquet for the 87th APPU Council Meeting and 53rd General Assembly
On the evening of August 27, Legislative Yuan Vice President Johnny C. Chiang, accompanied by a cross-party group of legislators—including KMT Legislators Dr. Alice Chang, Dr. Lai Shyh-Bao, Dr. Hsieh Yi-Fong, Dr. Ko Chih-En, Chen Ching-Hui, Hung Mong-Kai, Su Ching-Chuan, Wang Yu-Min, Dr. Lin Chien-Chi, and Dr. Lin Pei-Hsiang; DPP Legislator Chen Kuan-Ting; and TPP Legislators Chang Chi-Kai and Dr. Liu Shu-Pin—as well as Secretary General Chou Wan-Lai, Deputy Secretary General Dr. Chang Yu-Jung, and senior Legislative Yuan officials, hosted the welcome banquet for the 87th Council Meeting and 53rd General Assembly of the Asian-Pacific Parliamentarians’ Union (APPU). Vice President Chiang warmly welcomed delegations from around the world. Distinguished guests included Tuvalu Speaker Iakoba Taeia Italeli; Marshall Islands Senator David Anitok; Palau Senator Secilil Eldebechel; Guam Senator Telo T. Taitague; Northern Mariana Islands Senator Celina R. Babauta; and Japanese Diet Member Yamaguchi Shunichi, along with delegation leaders and members from other countries, as well as Ambassador Suzuki Eiichi, Secretary General of the APPU Central Secretariat. More than 100 participants attended the event, which was filled with a lively and festive atmosphere.
The banquet opened with a vibrant dance performance by the National Taiwan University of Arts’ student troupe. Showcasing a blend of international cultural elements, the performance highlighted Taiwan’s rich multiculturalism and warm hospitality. The dancers then stepped offstage to interact with guests, filling the venue with laughter and applause. Amid this joyful atmosphere, the emcee invited Vice President Chiang to deliver his remarks.
Vice President Chiang began by extending a warm welcome on behalf of Legislative Yuan President Daniel K.Y. Han and the people of Taiwan to all APPU member state parliamentary delegations attending the 87th Council Meeting and 53rd General Assembly. He recalled leading a cross-party delegation to Tokyo in March 2024 to attend the 52nd APPU General Assembly, during which Taiwan received overwhelming support from fellow member states to host this year’s assembly. He added that as a committed member of the Asia-Pacific community, Taiwan has hosted the APPU assembly multiple times—demonstrating its firm determination and proactive efforts to deepen regional cooperation.
Vice President Chiang went on to note that the APPU has long upheld its core principles of freedom, opposition to authoritarianism, and inter-parliamentary exchange, mentioning that at a time of growing global complexity, this steadfast commitment is especially valuable. He expressed his sincere appreciation for the participation of all delegates, which enabled the 87th Council Meeting to successfully conclude earlier that afternoon and finalize the three-day General Assembly agenda. He voiced confidence that through in-depth discussions with member partners, the APPU will continue to work hand in hand to find effective and sustainable solutions to transnational challenges such as climate change, economic sustainability, and critical infrastructure development.
In closing, Vice President Chiang invited all guests to raise their glasses and enjoy the carefully prepared selection of Taiwanese cuisine and cultural performances. He wished the APPU General Assembly great success and fruitful exchanges.
Former head of the Japanese APPU delegation, Diet Member Yamaguchi, then delivered remarks, expressing his heartfelt gratitude to Taiwan for hosting both the 87th Council Meeting and the 53rd General Assembly, as well as that evening’s welcome banquet. With over 30 years of experience participating in APPU meetings, he remarked that this year’s assembly in Taiwan has been the most enjoyable yet. He noted that it has been more than six years since his last visit to Taiwan for the 2019 APPU meeting, during which time the world has experienced numerous significant events—including the COVID-19 pandemic, the Russia–Ukraine war, the military coup in Myanmar, and turmoil in the Middle East—adding that against this backdrop of uncertainty and change, it is particularly meaningful for APPU members to come together to discuss a wide range of issues and areas for cooperation. He concluded by wishing the conference great success and fruitful outcomes.
The evening’s festivities continued with lively exchanges between Vice President Chiang, the attending cross-party legislators, and international guests. The atmosphere was warm, friendly, and filled with joy. The event concluded successfully after approximately two hours.
The banquet opened with a vibrant dance performance by the National Taiwan University of Arts’ student troupe. Showcasing a blend of international cultural elements, the performance highlighted Taiwan’s rich multiculturalism and warm hospitality. The dancers then stepped offstage to interact with guests, filling the venue with laughter and applause. Amid this joyful atmosphere, the emcee invited Vice President Chiang to deliver his remarks.
Vice President Chiang began by extending a warm welcome on behalf of Legislative Yuan President Daniel K.Y. Han and the people of Taiwan to all APPU member state parliamentary delegations attending the 87th Council Meeting and 53rd General Assembly. He recalled leading a cross-party delegation to Tokyo in March 2024 to attend the 52nd APPU General Assembly, during which Taiwan received overwhelming support from fellow member states to host this year’s assembly. He added that as a committed member of the Asia-Pacific community, Taiwan has hosted the APPU assembly multiple times—demonstrating its firm determination and proactive efforts to deepen regional cooperation.
Vice President Chiang went on to note that the APPU has long upheld its core principles of freedom, opposition to authoritarianism, and inter-parliamentary exchange, mentioning that at a time of growing global complexity, this steadfast commitment is especially valuable. He expressed his sincere appreciation for the participation of all delegates, which enabled the 87th Council Meeting to successfully conclude earlier that afternoon and finalize the three-day General Assembly agenda. He voiced confidence that through in-depth discussions with member partners, the APPU will continue to work hand in hand to find effective and sustainable solutions to transnational challenges such as climate change, economic sustainability, and critical infrastructure development.
In closing, Vice President Chiang invited all guests to raise their glasses and enjoy the carefully prepared selection of Taiwanese cuisine and cultural performances. He wished the APPU General Assembly great success and fruitful exchanges.
Former head of the Japanese APPU delegation, Diet Member Yamaguchi, then delivered remarks, expressing his heartfelt gratitude to Taiwan for hosting both the 87th Council Meeting and the 53rd General Assembly, as well as that evening’s welcome banquet. With over 30 years of experience participating in APPU meetings, he remarked that this year’s assembly in Taiwan has been the most enjoyable yet. He noted that it has been more than six years since his last visit to Taiwan for the 2019 APPU meeting, during which time the world has experienced numerous significant events—including the COVID-19 pandemic, the Russia–Ukraine war, the military coup in Myanmar, and turmoil in the Middle East—adding that against this backdrop of uncertainty and change, it is particularly meaningful for APPU members to come together to discuss a wide range of issues and areas for cooperation. He concluded by wishing the conference great success and fruitful outcomes.
The evening’s festivities continued with lively exchanges between Vice President Chiang, the attending cross-party legislators, and international guests. The atmosphere was warm, friendly, and filled with joy. The event concluded successfully after approximately two hours.