President Tsai meets George Hollingbery, UK Minister of State for Trade Policy at Department for International Trade
On the morning of September 25, President Tsai Ing-wen met with George Hollingbery, the UK's Minister of State for Trade Policy at the Department for International Trade. The president stated that increased interaction between Taiwan and the United Kingdom among senior officials and political leaders will facilitate enhanced cooperation in many different areas.
In remarks, President Tsai first stated that she was pleased to see Minister Hollingbery at the Presidential Office, and welcomed him to Taiwan. The United Kingdom is Taiwan's primary destination for investment in Europe, she said, and has long been one of Taiwan's most important trading partners, with two-way trade topping over US$5.7 billion last year
The president pointed out that Lord Faulkner of Worcester, the UK's Trade Envoy to Taiwan, has recently visited Taiwan. When she met with him, President Tsai expressed hope to have more opportunities for cooperation with the United Kingdom as we work to develop green energy in Taiwan. But green energy is not the only issue on the table for us, she said, and we also hope that exchanges and interaction with the United Kingdom on such issues as the decommissioning of nuclear power plants, financial innovation, and smart cities will grow even more robust.
The president mentioned that ties between Taiwan and the United Kingdom have been very close over the past two years and more. Many officials from Taiwan have visited the United Kingdom, for example, and the president also received many visitors from the United Kingdom at the Presidential Office. She has always believed that increased bilateral interaction, especially among senior officials and political leaders, will facilitate enhanced cooperation in many different areas. This visit by Minister Hollingbery is an excellent case in point.
In closing, President Tsai once again welcomed Minister Hollingbery on his first visit to Taiwan, and said she is confident that this trip will prove very fruitful.
Also in attendance at the meeting was Catherine Nettleton, Representative of the British Office Taipei.