113.04.03. (國際處086)
立法院韓國瑜院長於本（4月3）日中午在本院江啟臣副院長、「中華民國與英國國會聯誼會」會長張嘉郡委員、民進黨陳冠廷委員、民眾黨林國成委員、國際事務處林晨富處長，以及外交部謝武樵政務次長等人陪同下，接見「英國工黨國會議員訪團」一行7人。

On the afternoon of April 3, President Han met a seven-member parliamentary delegation from the UK Labor Party. In attendance were Vice President Dr. Johnny C. Chian, Legislator Chang Chia-chun, who is also the chairperson of the ROC-UK Inter-Parliamentary Amity Association, Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Chen Kuan-ting, Taiwan People’s Party Legislator Lin Kuo-chen, International Affairs Department Director Kevin C.F. Lin and Deputy Foreign Minister Kelly Wu-chiao Hsieh. 

韓院長首先偕出席委員與訪賓合影並熱切歡迎訪團的到來，他表示這幾年英國國會和立法院來往日益密切，江啟臣副院長上(第10)屆擔任「台灣與英國國會議員交流協會」會長，曾於去年率團訪問英國，本屆交棒給張嘉郡委員，盼透過交流協會這個平台讓台英雙方國會深化交流合作，進而建立更緊密的夥伴關係，共同為經濟發展、全球和平及人民福祉而努力。韓院長續表示，台英教育交流向來密切，英國是台灣學子第四大留學目標國，僅次美國、澳大利亞及日本；他也特別感謝英國國會近年來對台灣的大力支持，尤其支持我國際參與方面，台灣期盼能有意義參與「世界衛生組織」(WHO)等國際組織，以及加入「跨太平洋全面進步夥伴協定」（CPTPP）等區域經濟整合機制。韓院長另說明今日立法院三個黨團皆派代表歡迎訪團蒞院，展現本院內部雖有不同意見和紛擾，但對外始終團結一致，他盼訪賓能將台灣的各項美好帶回英國，並盼英國國會持續支持台灣有意義參與國際組織，讓台灣為國際社會做出更多貢獻。

President Han invited attending legislators and delegation members for group phots and showed his warm welcome to the delegation. He stated that the UK Parliament and the Legislative Yuan enjoy close interactions over the years. Vice President Chiang was the chairman of Taiwan-UK Inter-parliamentary Amity Association in the 10th Legislative Yuan and led a delegation to the UK. He passed the torch to Legislator Chang Chia-chun and hoped this association will further deepen exchanges and cooperation between the two parliaments to establish a closer partnership and to make efforts for economic development, global peace and people wellbeing. President Han continued to state that Taiwan and the UK has had close interactions. The UK marks the fourth largest destination for Taiwanese students, next to the US, Australia and Japan. He thanked the UK Parliament for its staunch support to Taiwan in recent years, especially its international participation. Taiwan hopes to have meaningful participation in international organizations such as World Health Organization and regional economic integration mechanisms such as Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). President Han noted that legislators from the three political party caucuses were present to welcome the delegation. He further commented that legislators may have different views and disagreement on various issues, yet the same spirit of welcoming foreign dignitaries was shared among them. He hoped that the delegation would return home with fond memories in Taiwan. He hoped that the UK Parliament will continue to support Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organizations to make more contributions to the international community. 

梁辛尼勛爵致詞時首先代表訪團感謝院長今日撥冗接見，他笑稱本次來訪受到我國各機關熱忱款待，已品嘗不少台灣美食佳餚，可能需要走路回英國才能消耗過多的卡路里。續表示中華民國立法院和英國國會相比，相對年輕且有成文憲法，他接受工黨主席任命擔任上議員18個月以來，對於身為工黨第一位擁有東亞血統的議員，也是全英歷史中第四位，感到驕傲。他說明英國上議員主要任務除了就施政相關議題進行辯論外，也與下議員一樣需要為民服務，他長期致力提升中小企業團體的權益。梁辛尼勛爵認為議會民主在體制上可能不盡完美，但仍需要守護，因為目前獨立自主的法制體系、權力分立、公平公開選舉等民主核心價值皆面臨嚴重的威脅，民粹主義者和獨裁政權均利用新興科技降低人民對政府的信任，而信任正是民主體制的核心價值，因此我們都必須謹慎面對並妥善處理各項新興威脅及挑戰，並共同努力守護民主、自由與法治，不能坐視民粹主義分化民主社會。梁辛尼勛爵另引用英國前首相布萊爾(Tony Blair)所提出的五大問題供大家思考，包含權力從何處取得、從誰取得、對誰負責、對誰解讀、這些權力如何使用等。他最後提醒，人民才是國家的主人，可以用選票奪去國會議員的權利，與大家共勉。

In his remarks, on behalf of the delegation, Lord Leong first thanked President Han for finding time to welcome the delegation. He joked that this visit was warmly welcomed by various government agencies and had tasted a lot of Taiwanese cuisines. He probably needed to walk back to the UK to consume extra calories. He continued to state that compared with the UK Parliament, the Republic of China Legislative Yuan is relatively young and was founded based on the R.O.C. Constitution. He took pride in himself as the first member with the East Asian background in the Labor Party and the fourth in the UK history when he was appointed by the Chair of the Labor Party 18 months ago to serve as a member of the House of Lords. He expounded that the major task of the member of House of Lords is to debate about policy and to provide district services just like the members of the House of Commons. He has long devoted himself to promote rights and interests of small and medium enterprises. He continued to share that parliamentary democracy may not be perfect, but still need to be safeguarded, because democratic core values face severe threats such as current independent legal system, division of power, fair and open elections. Populism and authoritarian regime use cutting-edged technology to reduce public trust in the government. Trust is the core value of democratic system. Therefore, we need to be cautious to face and handle new threats and challenges to protect democracy, freedom and rule of law. We should not let populism to divide a democratic society. He quoted the five essential questions about democracy posed by former Prime Minister Tony Blair for further thoughts:“What power have you got? Where did you get it from? In whose interests do you use it? To whom are you accountable? How do we get rid of you?” He concluded by reminding all that people is the master of a country and can get rid of the power of members of parliament.  

院長接續邀請與會所有貴賓合影留念並致贈紀念品後移駕宴會廳午宴，進行對談與交流。席間雙方續就台英關係現況、台英國會體制異同、我國正副總統就職、立法院開議形式及時間、我國災害防救機制、台英體育盛事、台灣宗教盛典等議題深入交換意見。餐會結束前，江副院長與出席委員特別為2位適巧本月壽星的議員慶生，以特別準備的壽桃祝福貴賓健康長壽。餐畢，訪團在國際事務處同仁導覽下參訪立法院議場，本次拜會、午宴及參訪歷約2小時，在溫馨歡樂、友好愉快的氣氛中畫下圓滿的句點。

President Han invited all distinguished guests for group photos and exchange of gifts followed by the welcome luncheon for further dialogue and exchanges in the banquet hall. Both sides had in-depth discussion about current Taiwan-UK relations, comparison of the parliament system between Taiwan and the UK, the presidential and vice-presidential inauguration ceremony, the date and the way the sessions conducted in the Legislative Yuan, Taiwan’s disaster prevention and rescue mechanism, major sports events, Taiwan’s religious events and other issues. Before the luncheon was concluded, Vice President Chiang and attending legislators prepared birthday cake and Shoutao (longevity peach bun) to wish the two delegation members a happy birthday and good health. After the luncheon, the delegation toured the chamber guided by the staff of the Department of International Affairs. The meeting, luncheon and tour lasted for about two hours and concluded in a warm and pleasant vibe. 

備註：訪賓名單

1.英國國會上議員梁辛尼勛爵 (The Lord Leong)
2.英國國會上議員葛蘭崔斯托勛爵 (The Lord Grantchester)
3.英國國會下議員霍奇珊 (Sharon Hodgson MP)
4.英國國會下議員薔森 (The Rt Hon Dame Diana Johnson MP)
5.英國國會上議員麥尼柯勛爵(The Lord McNicol)
6.英國國會下議員彌蘇拉 (Navendu Mishra MP)
7.英國國會下議員偉斯托 (Andrew Western MP)

Delegation List:
1. The Lord Leong
2. The Lord Grantchester
3. Sharon Hodgson MP
4. The Rt Hon Dame Diana Johnson MP
5. The Lord McNicol
6. Navendu Mishra MP
7. Andrew Western MP