Office of the President Republic of China(Taiwan)

President Tsai Ing-wen met with the 2018 Mosaic Taiwan fellows on the morning of June 20. The president explained that although political factors make it difficult for Taiwan to participate in the international community, we will continue our active cooperation and dialogue with the international community, share our experiences, and contribute our knowledge and expertise to the world. She hopes that when the fellows return home, they'll share their impressions and perspectives about Taiwan with their friends and become "Taiwan Insiders" in the United States and Canada.

President Tsai first welcomed the young people from the United States and Canada, all of whom came to Taiwan because of their passion for public and international affairs. She mentioned that this was their first visit to Taiwan, and that over the past week or so, they had participated in many different classes and cultural activities. The president said that she's sure they understand a bit more about Taiwan, and that she's equally sure that they liked what they saw.

President Tsai told the fellows that although political factors make it difficult for Taiwan to participate in the international community, the international community cannot--and will not—miss out on what Taiwan has to offer. Our region, and the international community, are well aware of Taiwan's history of successful economic development and democratic transformation. We're now also implementing industrial upgrade and transformation policies, she said, and we're one of the few Asian countries taking concrete action to address transitional justice issues.

As part of the international community, the president stated, Taiwan wants to share its developmental experience, and contribute our knowledge and expertise to the world. But for some time now, China has subjected Taiwan to political interference and suppression. Fortunately, the people of Taiwan have also received tremendous support from many like-minded countries. But as external suppression gets stronger, so does Taiwan's determination to engage with the world. And we will continue our active cooperation and dialogue with the international community.

President Tsai then cited examples of Taiwan's frequent interaction and cooperation with the United States and Canada. In November of last year, she said, Taiwan became the 12th country in the world, and the third country in Asia, to become part of the US Global Entry Program. This April, we also reached reciprocal driver's license agreements with all ten Canadian provinces. These agreements, she said, will have a positive impact on government and people-to-people exchanges between Taiwan and the United States, and Taiwan and Canada. 

In closing, the president expressed hope that based on their research and experiences here, the visitors will all be "Taiwan Insiders" in their home countries. So when they return home, she asked them to share their impressions and perspectives about Taiwan with their friends.