I am truly delighted to have been invited to join the International Night, the first time this event has been held by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. On behalf of the government and people of the Republic of China (Taiwan), I would like to express my appreciation to all our distinguished guests for your enthusiastic participation in this event and to the performing students for your dedication to preparing for tonight's program. I would also like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt respect to and gratitude for Your Excellencies Ambassadors for all the efforts and contributions you have made over the years to enhance bilateral relations between your countries and Taiwan and to help make Taiwan's voice heard in the international community.
Tonight's program features many countries' traditional dance and music. They are important elements of beauty in all cultures. The historical meaning and limitless creativity embodied in the rich and varied movement and rhythms of the dance and music from Africa, Oceania, Central and South America, and the Caribbean are impressive. The unique cultural charms of countries in these regions are what tonight's performers are going to unveil to us.
While there are boundaries among countries in terms of geography and politics, cultural exchange knows no boundaries. I believe that the sharing of culture and art, such as through music and dance, can bring countries closer together. This is also one of the best ways to realize the concept of Taiwan as a nation founded on culture.
The flourishing cultural creative industries in Taiwan in recent years have played a vital role in promoting cultural exchanges internationally. For instance, last year Taiwan took part in the renovation of the ancient city of Antigua, which is a world cultural heritage site in Guatemala. Also last year, Taiwan held the special exhibition, A Thousand Faces of Formosa--the Nature and Tradition of Taiwan, at the National Museum of the Czech Republic.
Elsewhere, Taiwan has long cooperated with the French Academy through the establishment of a Taiwan-France Cultural Award that promotes academic exchanges. We have helped the Secretariat of OISTAT, a satellite UN organization, to move its Secretariat to Taiwan. We also held the Russian literary expo, Walk into the People--Three Giants of Russian Literature, at the National Museum of Taiwan Literature in Tainan. These are good examples of Taiwan's respect for culture and active cultural participation in the international community.
Meanwhile, we are also looking forward to building closer and more cordial ties between Taiwan and your respective countries on the basis of cultural exchange. In so doing, our mutual cooperation can become more substantial and tangible, and together we can make more contributions to the international community. This is a mission and a responsibility that we are more than willing to shoulder.
In closing, I would like to once again thank all the students who will perform for tonight's event. You have worked hard in taking the time to go through rehearsals while also having to prepare for taxing midterm exams. I know that you will do your best to demonstrate the vitality and passion of your home countries through your performances. All of you are the best goodwill ambassadors, and through your dance and music, our audience can observe for themselves the friendship between Taiwan and your countries.
Let me once again express my warmest welcome to our friends from different nations, and I thank you for your enthusiastic participation. Let us now get ready to enjoy tonight's sumptuous cultural feast. Thank you!