立法院江啟臣副院長於本（2月17）日下午在國民黨賴士葆委員、民進黨郭昱晴委員、民眾黨黃國昌總召及國際事務處林晨富處長等人陪同下，接見「台英國會小組」（British-Taiwanese All-Party Parliamentary Group, APPG）共同主席柴萍恩（Sarah Champion）下議員一行7人，外交部歐洲司黃鈞耀司長及英國在台辦事處政治組組長文志康（Leon Man）隨行陪同。江副院長特別準備了臺中名產「#太陽餅」招待訪賓，讓他們不只感受台灣人民的好客和熱情，更享受他們冬天在英國難得的暖陽。
Legislative Yuan Vice President Dr. Johnny C. Chiang, accompanied by KMT Legislator Lai Shyh-Bao, DPP Legislator Kuo Yu-Ching, TPP Caucus Convener Huang Kuo-Chang, and International Affairs Department Director Kevin C.F. Lin, received a seven-member delegation led by British-Taiwanese All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) Co-Chair MP Sarah Champion on the afternoon of February 17. Eric Jiun-Yaw Huang, Director-General of the Department of European Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Leon Man, Head of the Political Section at the British Office Taipei, were also in attendance. Vice President Chiang specially prepared Taichung’s famous sun cakes as a treat for the visiting delegation, allowing them to not only experience the warmth and hospitality of the Taiwanese people but also enjoy a rare taste of sunshine during the British winter.
江副院長首先誠摯歡迎訪賓來訪，並特別拿出2017年會晤訪團成員上議員浦維司勛爵（Lord Purvis of Tweed）的舊照，令渠備感驚喜。江副院長表示，過去八年（2016-2024）擔任立法院「台灣－英國國會議員交流協會」會長期間，積極促進台英雙邊國會交流，曾五度訪問英國，並多次與前任英國國會「台英國會小組」共同主席史蒂爾勳爵（Rt Hon Lord Steel of Aikwood）會晤。他深刻體認到，台英國會互動對強化雙邊友好關係助益良多。江副院長繼指出，台灣作為民主國家，致力推動國際合作，尤其在外交處境艱難下，國會交流已成為我國對外溝通的重要管道。副院長特別感謝柴萍恩共同主席長期力挺台灣參與國際組織，包括「聯合國氣候變化綱要公約」（UNFCCC）、「世界衛生組織」（WHO）及「世界衛生大會」（WHA）等，這份堅定支持不僅有助台灣向國際發聲，更進一步強化全球民主聯盟合作。
Vice President Chiang warmly welcomed the visiting delegation and presented an old photograph from his 2017 meeting with delegation member Lord Purvis of Tweed, much to Lord Purvis’s surprise and delight. Vice President Chiang stated that during his eight-year tenure (2016-2024) as President of the Taiwan-UK Inter-Parliamentary Amity Association in the Legislative Yuan, he actively promoted bilateral parliamentary exchanges between Taiwan and the UK. He visited the UK five times and held multiple meetings with former APPG Co-Chair Rt Hon Lord Steel of Aikwood. He came to deeply understand that parliamentary interactions between Taiwan and the UK play a significant role in strengthening friendly bilateral relations. Vice President Chiang further stated that as a democratic nation, Taiwan is committed to promoting international cooperation. Given its challenging diplomatic circumstances, parliamentary exchanges have become a crucial channel for Taiwan’s external engagement. Vice President Chiang expressed his sincere gratitude to Co-Chair Sarah Champion for her longstanding support of Taiwan’s participation in international organizations, including the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the World Health Assembly (WHA). He emphasized that this steadfast support not only helps Taiwan make its voice heard on the international stage but also further strengthens cooperation among the global democratic alliance.
江副院長續謂，台英兩國同樣關注區域安全與經貿發展。他恭喜英國已於2024年12月15日正式成為「跨太平洋夥伴全面進步協定」（CPTPP）的成員，符合CPTPP高入會標準的台灣於2022年9月提出加入申請，他期盼英國能以會員國身分發揮影響力，以具體行動支持台灣加入，共同促進區域經貿繁榮。江副院長另強調，台英雙方同時可持續拓展經貿、文化、教育、科技及安全等領域的合作，以進一步提升雙邊關係，並深化民主價值與全球夥伴關係。
Vice President Chiang also noted that Taiwan and the UK share a common focus on regional security and economic development. He congratulated the UK on officially becoming a member of the CPTPP on December 15, 2024. Noting that Taiwan, which meets the CPTPP’s high accession standards, submitted its application in September 2022, he expressed hope that the UK, as a member state, would leverage its influence and take concrete actions to support Taiwan’s accession, fostering regional economic prosperity together. Vice President Chiang further emphasized that Taiwan and the UK can continue expanding cooperation in trade, culture, education, technology, and security to further enhance bilateral relations and deepen democratic values and global partnerships.
柴萍恩共同主席表示，這是她第五度訪台，對台灣的熱情源於對民主價值的堅持。此次APPG訪團雖以英國現任執政黨工黨籍國會議員為主，但亦有其他黨派成員參團，充分展現英國國會對台灣的支持不分黨派。她指出，此次出訪雖逢英國國會休會期間，訪團成員仍踴躍參團訪台，足見訪團對與台灣相關議題的高度關注，以及支持台英深化交流。柴主席認同江副院長所言，國會外交對台英雙邊關係至為重要，並強調英國國會內友台力量雄厚，對台灣參與國際組織的支持與訪台交流態度，近年愈加積極正面。柴主席續謂，此行訪台拜會多位重要台灣官員，獲益良多，對台灣有更深入瞭解。但她憂心表示，過去20年來，全球在民主體制下生活的人口比例，已由50%驟降至32%。此外，區域安全防衛也是訪團關注焦點之一，她認為民主國家唯有攜手合作，方能共謀和平永續發展。此次訪團即以深化台英友誼、推動經貿與戰略安全合作為目標，期盼雙方攜手實現互惠共榮。
Co-Chair Sarah Champion stated that this was her fifth visit to Taiwan, and her deep affinity for Taiwan stems from a steadfast commitment to democratic values. Although the APPG delegation primarily consisted of Members of Parliament from the ruling Labour Party, it also included members from other parties, fully demonstrating the UK Parliament’s bipartisan support for Taiwan. She noted that although the visit coincided with the UK Parliament’s recess, delegation members still eagerly participated in the trip to Taiwan, underscoring their strong interest in Taiwan-related issues and their support for deepening Taiwan-UK exchanges. Chair Champion agreed with Vice President Chiang’s remarks on the vital role of parliamentary diplomacy in Taiwan-UK relations. She emphasized that pro-Taiwan forces within the UK Parliament remain strong and that in recent years, parliamentary support for Taiwan’s participation in international organizations and engagement through visits has become increasingly active and positive. Chair Champion further stated that during this visit to Taiwan, the delegation had the opportunity to meet with several key Taiwanese officials, gaining valuable insights and a deeper understanding of Taiwan. However, she expressed concern that over the past 20 years, the proportion of the global population living under democratic systems has sharply declined from 50% to 32%. Additionally, regional security and defense were also among the delegation's key concerns. She stressed that only through collaboration among democratic nations can we achieve lasting peace and sustainable development. This delegation's visit aimed to strengthen Taiwan-UK friendship and promote cooperation in trade and strategic security, with the hope that both sides will work together to achieve mutual prosperity and shared benefits.
賴士葆委員表示，我國刻正積極爭取加入CPTPP，台灣雖為全球第16大經濟體，卻面臨入會障礙。他除期盼英國政府支持外，亦請訪賓提供專業建言，讓台灣借鑒英國成功入會經驗，加速推動加入CPTPP進程，以進一步深化多邊經貿合作，共創區域繁榮。
Legislator Lai Shyh-Bao stated that Taiwan is actively seeking accession to the CPTPP. Despite being the world's 16th-largest economy, Taiwan faces significant hurdles in joining the agreement. He expressed hope that the UK government would support Taiwan’s accession and asked the delegation to provide expert advice, allowing Taiwan to draw on the UK’s successful accession experience. This, he noted, would help accelerate Taiwan’s CPTPP membership process, further deepening multilateral economic and trade cooperation and fostering regional prosperity.
郭昱晴委員強調，台海安全也是當前最關鍵的議題之一。她感謝英國在台灣面對中國升高威脅時，持續發聲支持，並強調台灣是西方民主陣營值得信賴的夥伴，確保台灣安全，即是維護全球秩序。
Legislator Kuo Yu-Ching emphasized that security in the Taiwan Strait is one of the most critical issues at present. She expressed gratitude to the UK for its continued vocal support as Taiwan faces escalating threats from China. She emphasized that Taiwan is a trustworthy partner of the Western democratic bloc, and safeguarding Taiwan’s security is essential to maintaining global order.
黃國昌總召表示，台英促進相互理解與雙邊合作，符合兩國人民的共同利益。台灣對英國支持我參與相關國際組織深表感謝。他並指出，理解英國政府對台灣的官方立場，惟此無礙於台英在其他領域深化合作。他期盼未來雙邊關係更加緊密，並祝訪賓此行順利。
TPP Caucus Convener Huang Kuo-Chang stated that fostering mutual understanding and bilateral cooperation between Taiwan and the UK serves the common interests of both nations' peoples. Taiwan deeply appreciates the UK's support for its participation in relevant international organizations. He acknowledged the UK government's official stance on Taiwan but emphasized that this does not hinder the deepening of Taiwan-UK cooperation in other areas. He expressed hope for even closer bilateral relations in the future and wished the delegation a successful visit.
雙方另就我國爭取加入CPTPP可考慮採行做法、兩岸關係現況、南海局勢、台灣國防預算占GDP比重及民眾防衛意識、立法院女性委員比例，以及我國選舉制度、區域委員所代表選民人數等議題廣泛交換意見。會談歷時約一小時，氣氛熱絡融洽，雙方於互贈紀念品後為今日會晤劃下圓滿的句點。
The two sides also engaged in extensive discussions on various topics, including possible approaches for Taiwan’s accession to the CPTPP, the current state of cross-strait relations, the situation in the South China Sea, Taiwan’s defense budget as a percentage of GDP and public defense awareness, the proportion of female legislators in the Legislative Yuan, Taiwan’s electoral system, and the number of constituents represented by regional legislators. The meeting lasted for approximately one hour in a warm and cordial atmosphere. The two sides exchanged commemorative gifts to bring the discussion to a successful conclusion.
