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President Tsai Ing-wen hosted a luncheon on October 10 at the Presidential Office for a congratulatory delegation from Japan here to celebrate Double Tenth National Day. The delegation was headed by Mr. Keiji Furuya, Member of Japan's House of Representatives and Chairman of the Japan-ROC Diet Members' Consultative Council (hereafter "the Consultative Council"). During the banquet, President Tsai emphasized that Taiwan's main concern is to maintain regional peace and stability. She also emphasized that we are willing to join Japan in sharing our experience implementing democratic values and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) throughout the Indo-Pacific region.
In remarks, President Tsai welcomed Mr. Furuya and the other members of the Consultative Council to Taiwan for our National Day celebrations. She also noted that all the visiting Diet members are old friends of Taiwan who have enthusiastically promoted and participated in a wide variety of exchange activities for many years, helping our mutual friendship get stronger over time.
The president mentioned that since Mr. Furuya took over as chairman this past March, the Consultative Council has issued numerous resolutions supporting Taiwan's participation in the World Health Assembly, opposing forcing airlines to change their designation for Taiwan, and supporting us after the severing of diplomatic ties between Taiwan and El Salvador. The Consultative Council also hopes to spur Taiwan-Japan cooperation in third countries. On behalf of the people of Taiwan, she thanked her guests for these important expressions of support, which gave us a feeling of warm friendship and empowerment.
President Tsai pointed out that the Consultative Council plays a decisive role in Japanese political circles, and as Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's cabinet includes many members of the Consultative Council, the president offered her congratulations.
Commenting on international developments, President Tsai stated that the international political and economic situations have changed dramatically over the past year due to factors such as the US-China trade war. Amidst such turbulence, Taiwan's greatest concern is how to maintain regional peace and stability, and the president believes the same is true for Japan. She then reiterated that in the face of pressure from China, we will neither act rashly to escalate confrontation, nor will we give in. To play a stabilizing role in times of turbulence is a formidable task, she said, but that is a national leader's responsibility.
President Tsai emphasized that Taiwan harbors great goodwill for the Indo-Pacific region, and will contribute its capabilities and experiences. We are willing to join Japan in sharing our experiences implementing democratic values and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through exchanges with other countries.
The president closed her remarks by expressing hope that the influence of Mr. Furuya and the Consultative Council will help Taiwan and Japan maintain a close cooperative relationship in these times of change, and work hand-in-hand as a force for regional stability.
Following her remarks, President Tsai and the visiting delegation enjoyed lunch together in a warm and friendly atmosphere.
