Vice President Wu Den-yih and Mrs. Wu, escorted by Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Vanessa Yea-Ping Shih (史亞平) and ROC Ambassador to the Vatican Larry Yu-yuan Wang (王豫元) and Mrs. Wang, embarked at 10:00 a.m. on April 29 (Tuesday) Italy time on the third-day itinerary of their visit to the Vatican to attend the canonization of the late popes John XXIII and John Paul II.
Vice President and Mrs. Wu first visited the ROC's representative office in Italy to speak with staff of the office. In remarks, the vice president stated that Italy is home to one of the world's ancient civilizations, and is also a highly developed modern nation. He cited an example, stating that when Taiwan and mainland China signed the Cross-Straits Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement in 2010, the government held seminars to communicate and exchange opinions with representatives of Taiwan's industrial community. At one of those seminars, a sock manufacturer from Changhua County in central Taiwan told Vice President Wu that he actually was not concerned about competition from mainland China, but rather was more worried about Italy, where productivity is higher. Hoeever, the vice president noted, Taiwan's machine tool exports were lower in 2010 than those of Italy, but over the past two years Taiwan has overtaken Italy to become the world's third largest exporter of machine tools. This, he remarked, shows that as long as one strives to develop production technology, a manufacturer can enhance its international competitiveness.
Vice President Wu also mentioned that Taiwan has performed quite well in a number of international rankings in recent years. He specifically pointed to the reports issued by Switzerland's IMD and the World Economic Forum that have ranked Taiwan among the world's most competitive nations.
The vice president said that while the ROC and Italy do not maintain formal diplomatic relations, the government believes that if a "building block" approach can be taken to bilateral ties and the two are able to sign a free trade agreement, the trade and economic relationship between Taiwan and Italy would be effectively strengthened.
After leaving the representative office, Vice President and Mrs. Wu made their way to a luncheon that was attended by high-ranking clergy members from the Vatican and clergymen and clergywomen who have engaged in missionary activities in Taiwan.
In remarks, Vice President Wu stated that he and his delegation were visiting the Vatican on behalf of President Ma Ying-jeou to attend the canonization of the late popes John XXIII and John Paul II. He said that he witnessed the festivities along with pilgrims from all over the world and throughout the event was impressed by the love and compassion of God, which united the crowd.
Addressing members of the clergy who have come to Taiwan to engage in missionary activities, the vice president reiterated his deepest gratitude for their efforts and contributions to Taiwan in the areas of education, culture, and health care. He stressed that each drop of perspiration they have shed for Taiwan and the wisdom that they have exhibited have left an admirable footprint.
In the afternoon, Vice President and Mrs. Wu visited Saint Peter's Basilica. The murals and sculptures in the basilica that date from the European Renaissance, as well as the dome measuring 42 meters in diameter and 138 meters in height, made a deep impression on the vice president and his delegation.