President Tsai meets delegation of British parliamentarians
While meeting on the morning of September 22 with a visiting delegation of British parliamentarians, President Tsai Ing-wen stressed Taiwan's determination to participate in the international community, and briefed her visitors on the friendly interactions between Taiwan and the United Kingdom. She also expressed hope that, by signing a Taiwan-UK free trade agreement or a bilateral investment agreement, the two countries can generate increased business opportunities and together achieve win-win development.
In remarks, President Tsai, speaking on behalf of the people of Taiwan, extended condolences for the terrorist attack last week on the London underground, and wished a speedy recovery to all those injured. She reiterated that Taiwan stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the UK in united opposition to terrorist threats.
President Tsai stated that Taiwan, as a member of the international community, has always sought to actively contribute to the global fight against terrorism, maintain aviation safety, and respond to climate change. The president also thanked the British-Taiwanese All-Party Parliamentary Group and the UK government for their longstanding and firm support for Taiwan's international participation. She then voiced hope that the two countries can cooperate even more closely and respond to global challenges together.
President Tsai pointed out that Mr. Nigel Evans, the chair of the British-Taiwanese All-Party Parliamentary Group, is a long-time supporter and good friend of Taiwan who is visiting for the sixth time. The president said she was delighted to meet again with Mr. Evans, and get to know the other members of the visiting delegation.
President Tsai said that high-ranking government officials and local leaders of Taiwan and the UK have made frequent reciprocal visits in 2017, and regular dialogue mechanisms such as the annual Taiwan-UK Trade Talk have been going quite smoothly. The president voiced hope that Taiwan and the UK can also establish dialogue mechanisms to discuss smart cities and other mutually beneficial industries. The idea, she said, is to promote official exchanges at the minister of state level or higher.
The president noted that the UK government has repeatedly stressed that after it exits the European Union it will establish new trade relationships throughout the world. Taiwan and the UK have longstanding and mutually beneficial economic and trade ties, said the president, who expressed confidence that the two countries can generate more business opportunities and win-win situations by signing a free trade agreement or a bilateral investment agreement. She also expressed hope that the visiting parliamentarians will continue to lend their support and work together with Taiwan to enhance Taiwan-UK economic and trade ties.
Finally, President Tsai noted that most of the delegation members were visiting Taiwan for the first time, and expressed hope that they will become more familiar with Taiwan, and promote increased bilateral exchanges.