President Ma Ying-jeou on the morning of January 6 met with a delegation of visiting British parliamentarians. The president, on behalf of the government of the ROC (Taiwan), extended a warm welcome to the delegation.
President Ma said that this delegation is comprised of eight members of the British House of Lords and House of Commons, all of whom are members of the British-Taiwan Parliamentary Group. The Lord Faulkner of Worcester, the joint chairman, is making his second visit to Taiwan. He made his first visit here in May last year to attend the inauguration of President Ma and Vice President Siew. Having visited Taiwan twice in just eight months, The Lord Faulkner of Worcester is leading a delegation that includes parliamentary members from different political parties. This symbolizes the deep friendship he has towards Taiwan, the president said.
President Ma furthermore said that Taiwan and England maintain frequent contacts despite the lack of formal diplomatic relations. Trade between the two countries last year hit over US$5 billion. Some 15,000 people from Taiwan are studying in England, and Taiwan companies have made considerable investments in England, the president pointed out. The United Kingdom is an important member of the European Union (EU). The president said Taiwan will rely on even more assistance from England in its efforts to boost its relationship with the EU. This year, President Ma said, the ROC (Taiwan) will continue to seek entry into the World Health Organization and participation in the World Health Assembly. He said he hopes England and the EU will support Taiwan in this regard.
President Ma is pleased that England has expressed support for the efforts by the new administration here to foster the development of peace between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait, as well as its interest in further strengthening cooperation with Taiwan. He expressed his desire for both sides to provide visa-free courtesies to the people of the other country, which he said will promote even further exchanges between the two.
The Lord Faulkner of Worcester expressed his appreciation to President Ma for taking time out of his busy schedule to meet with the delegation and for the warm reception the delegation has received from the government. Members of the delegation exchanged opinions with the president on a variety of topics, including economics, education, gender issues and cross-strait relations.
The British parliamentary delegation included joint chairman The Lord Faulkner of Worcester, The Lord Dholakia, The Lord Rogan, The Baroness Perry of Southwark, The Baroness Gale, and The Baroness Howells of St. Davids of the House of Lords, and Members of Parliament Sandra Gidley and James Sheridan from the House of Commons. The delegation was accompanied by British Trade & Cultural Office Director Michael Reilly and Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Javier Ching-shan Hou to the Presidential Office in the morning to meet with President Ma. Also in attendance at the meeting was National Security Council Deputy Secretary-General Ho Szu-yin.