蔡其昌副院長今(4)日上午在本院邱議瑩委員、溫玉霞委員、邱臣遠委員、高明秋副秘書長、國際事務處林晨富處長，以及僑務委員會徐佳青委員長等人陪同下，接見「世界台灣商會聯合總會」第30屆總會長李天柒一行10人。
Vice President Tsai Chi-chang, accompanied by legislators Chiu Yi-ying, Wen Yu-hsia, Chiu Chen-yuan, Deputy Secretary-General Kao Ming-chiu, Director of International Affairs Department Kevin C.F. Lin, and Minister Hsu Chia-ching of Overseas Community Affairs Council, received a delegation led by President Steven Lee of the 30th General Assembly of the "World Taiwanese Chambers of Commerce (WTCC)" on the morning of October 4.
蔡副院長致詞時首先向賓客介紹甫於9月成立的國際事務處，立法院成立新單位專責國際事務，象徵著台灣當前外交與國際關係的蓬勃發展，立法院相關僑胞、台商的業務也由國際事務處負責。副院長並表示，台商在外擔負國民外交以及與各國政府往來的重責大任，協助台灣政府解決許多難題，例如副院長曾在越南因簽證問題無法入境，最後透過當地台商的協助順利解決，顯示出台商在海外耕耘打拼的影響力，要藉此機會代表立法院感謝台商的努力。
In his opening remarks, Vice President Tsai first introduced the newly established Department of International Affairs of the Legislative Yuan. He believed the launch of the department is a testament that Taiwan is gaining more momentum in parliamentary diplomacy and international engagement. The department also serves as a service window for overseas communities and Taiwanese entrepreneurs across the world. The Vice President further stated that overseas Taiwanese entrepreneurs play significant roles in promoting people-to-people diplomacy and engaging with foreign governments, while assisting Taiwanese government in solving various issues. For instance, he once couldn’t enter Vietnam due to visa problem, it was Taiwanese entrepreneur in Vietnam who finally helped find the solution. This incident highlights the great influence of Taiwanese entrepreneurs, to who Vice President Tsai would like to extend his heartfelt gratitude.
蔡副院長復表示，立法院世界臺商之友會會長一職慣例由立法院副院長兼任，今年是他任此職務的第八年，對他而言是莫大的榮譽與肯定。他與李天柒總會長是長年熟識的朋友，而今日出席的三位委員來自不同黨派，展現對台商的支持，由此可見拓展國際外交與對台商的支持，是無分黨派的朝野共識。
Vice President Tsai explained that it is a precedent for Vice President to concurrently serve as Chair of the Legislative Yuan's World Taiwanese Business Association. He has been in this position for eight years, which he deems a great honor. Among other acquaintance, President Lee is one of his old friends. Apart from that, Vice President Tsai welcomed three legislators from different political parties to the meeting today as well. The attendance of party representatives demonstrates that cross-party support for overseas Taiwanese entrepreneurs and promoting Taiwan’s diplomacy is a consensus across the political spectrum.
蔡副院長並提到，本屆立法委員甫上任就面臨COVID-19疫情的挑戰，直到去年下半年才陸續解封，導致原先安排與台商朋友會面的行程無法成行。立法院世界臺商之友會的成立，就是期許立法部門成為前線作戰的台商朋友們強而有力的後盾，自2016年蔡總統上任後，副院長擔任立法院世界臺商之友會的會長，曾多次藉由與總統會面的場合傳達台商的需求，蔡總統亦表明對台商的重視，包含增加相關國策顧問的人數及預算的增列等，均獲得跨黨派立委支持。蔡副院長表示，除了感謝蔡總統，也特別感謝在野黨擔任副會長的溫玉霞委員與邱臣遠委員，常直接傳達台商的心聲，近年在新南向與疫情紓困政策上都取得相當豐碩的成果，期許日後持續進步。
Talking about the challenges resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, Vice President Tsai noted that many scheduled meetings with Taiwanese entrepreneurs were forced to cancel until the second half of last year. The Legislative Yuan's World Taiwanese Business Association aspires to be a strong backing for overseas Taiwanese entrepreneurs who have been diligently striving on the forefront. That is why he kept reporting the needs of Taiwanese entrepreneurs to President Tsai since she took office in 2016. In response, President Tsai has appointed more national policy advisors and instructed competent agencies to allocate additional budget for the overseas compatriot businesses, both of which have received unanimous support from legislators. Vice President Tsai also appreciated legislators Wen Yu-hsia and Chiu Chen-yuan, both vice-chairs of the Association representing the opposition parties, for voicing concerns of overseas Taiwanese entrepreneurs. Thanks to their efforts, a great deal of progress has been made in the on-going New Southbound Policy and in materializing government’s pandemic relief packages.
蔡副院長最後提到，推動開發新南向國家之台灣專區是一項重要的目標，除此之外，提升我國的國際地位有助於與外國政府的交涉，而堅守台灣的民主自由是重要的前提。近年台灣與美國、日本及歐盟等各國關係提升，例如今年四月副院長率團訪問法國，獲得法方高規格的接待，由過去的低調處理轉變為公開，除接受多家媒體採訪外，也與法國行政官員同台，是台法關係多年來的重大突破。國家地位的提升，也有助於台商地位的提升，彼此相輔相成，副院長亦將規劃於明年四月赴越南參加世總年會，期望屆時再與李天柒總會長見面。
Vice President Tsai pointed out that establishing an exclusive zone for Taiwan in the targeted countries is a major goal of the New Southbound Policy. Additionally, enhancing Taiwan's international status would be conducive to negotiating with foreign counterparts. To this end, defending Taiwan’s democracy would be an important prerequisite. Vice president Tsai highlighted the advancements in Taiwan's relations with the United States, Japan, and the European Union in recent years, and cited his visit to France in April this year as an example. He was impressed with the high standard courtesy extended by the French authorities, who used to keep in low profile. During this trip, Vice President Tsai not only received press interviews but also met French officials in public, signaling a major breakthrough in Taiwan-France ties. Raising Taiwan's international profile would also boost the status of overseas Taiwanese entrepreneurs. Vice President Tsai stated he would be delighted to attend the annual assembly of WTCC scheduled to be held in Vietnam next April, where he looks forward to meeting with President Lee again.
李天柒總會長致詞時表示，感謝蔡副院長撥冗接見，此行率團拜會目的是向立法院世界臺商之友會的會長、副會長等各位委員介紹世界台灣商會聯合總會第30屆新任團隊成員，藉由新團隊上任的契機，向立法部門以及行政部門反映台商的心聲。李總會長並表示，蔡副院長言及在法國受到的高規格接待，是提醒他在越南要繼續努力，相信明年在越南也能交出漂亮的成績單。此外也期望藉由此次拜會，讓大家暢言海外台商的心聲，因為現在的立法委員都很貼近民意，駐外機構的人員也都專業親切，氛圍已然轉變，相信日後發展會越來越好。
In his speech, President Steven Lee first thanked Vice President Tsai for the warm reception. Then he introduced the board members of the 30th General Assembly of the WTCC, and took this opportunity to convey concerns on behalf of all overseas Taiwanese entrepreneurs. President Lee said that the warm reception Vice President Tsai received in France is an aspiration for him to double up his efforts in making the upcoming annual assembly a big success in Vietnam. In the meantime, he also praised the Legislators and diplomatic personnel posted in foreign missions for their kindness, expertise and dedication. He believed that in this positive atmosphere a brighter future would soon arrive.
雙邊交流時邱臣遠委員、溫玉霞委員及邱議瑩委員分別與訪團成員就外籍學生留才選用、高齡化社會長照需求、台商協助台灣舉辦展覽活動、美國居住正義政策參考、協助非洲國家農業技術、海外中文師資人才需求等議題廣泛交換意見，氣氛熱絡愉快，最後在互贈紀念品及合影後圓滿結束。
The meeting was followed by exchanges of view on issues of mutual concern, including employment of foreign students in Taiwan, urgent need for elderly cares in an aging society, organizing Taiwan-related exhibitions with the help from overseas Taiwanese entrepreneurs, advantages of U.S. policy on social housing, support for agricultural technology in Africa, and meeting the demand for Mandarin language teachers overseas etc., between legislators Chiu Chen-yuan, Wen Yu-hsia, Chiu Yi-ying and the members of the visiting delegation. The meeting finally ended with gift exchanges and the taking of group photos in an amicable vibe.
