President Tsai meets Academia Sinica International Scientific Leaders' Forum participants
On the morning of November 13, President Tsai Ing-wen met with a delegation of participants in the International Scientific Leaders' Forum held in conjunction with Academia Sinica's 90th Anniversary. During the meeting, the president explained that Taiwan has extensive research capabilities, and is an important global talent pool. She also expressed hope that Taiwan will make even greater contributions to issues of global concern, scientific development, and the wellbeing of humankind.
President Tsai began her remarks by welcoming her visitors to the Presidential Office. She then thanked the delegation members for coming all the way to Taiwan for the International Scientific Leaders' Forum, held in conjunction with Academia Sinica's 90th Anniversary Celebration, and sharing the latest academic developments in their respective countries.
Basic research is a key driver of progress not only for a country, but for all humankind, the president said, noting that the delegation members all lead world-renowned research institutions making crucial contributions to advancing science and technology, spurring social progress, and promoting sustainable global development.
In the past few years, President Tsai emphasized, Taiwan has also performed exceptionally well in academic, science, and technology research. As a result, the World Economic Forum's recently released Global Competitiveness Report 2018 ranked Taiwan 13th out of 140 countries worldwide. We were especially strong in the "innovation capability" category, ranking first in Asia, and fourth globally. The report even called Taiwan a "super-innovator."
The president stated that many of our researchers have also received recognition from science bodies around the world. Academia Sinica academician and our Vice President Chen Chien-jen, for instance, was elected a Foreign Associate of the US National Academy of Sciences (NAS) last year. President Tsai was also delighted to witness an NAS representative on hand presenting Vice President Chen with an NAS lapel pin.
President Tsai mentioned that Academia Sinica President James C. Liao (廖俊智) is also a member of the US NAS, National Academy of Engineering, and National Academy of Inventors. Of course, she said, our country has many more outstanding scientists, and they are the best proof that Taiwan has extensive research capabilities, and is an important global talent pool.
The president pointed out that Taiwan has also been deeply involved in many well-known international scientific initiatives and organizations. For instance, President Liao was recently elected to the Governing Board of the International Science Council. And Academia Sinica has also signed cooperative MOUs and agreements with the Czech Academy of Sciences and Japan's RIKEN, and will begin a number of projects with the US National Academy of Medicine.
In addition to long-standing scientific exchanges with the United States, Japan, Korea and countries in Europe, President Tsai stated, in recent years Taiwan has also stepped up cooperation with New Southbound countries like Singapore, India, Thailand, the Philippines, and Australia. We will continue to strengthen our scientific partnerships, she said, and hope to make greater contributions to issues of global concern such as energy conservation, carbon emissions reduction, sustainable energy, and artificial intelligence.
The president looks forward to maintaining close connections and interactions with preeminent scientists from around the world. She added that the support and expectation of the international academic community will inspire Taiwan to perform even better. In closing, President Tsai once again thanked her guests for supporting Taiwan, and expressed hope that we will continue working together to advance scientific development and the wellbeing of humankind.
Afterwards, Foreign Secretary John G. Hildebrand represented the NAS to present Vice President Chen with his official NAS lapel pin.