President Tsai meets Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association Chairman Ohashi Mitsuo
On the morning of January 14, President Tsai Ing-wen met with Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association Chairman Ohashi Mitsuo. In remarks, President Tsai thanked the government of Japan for expressing support several times at international venues for Taiwan's international participation. The president stated that Taiwan will continue to strengthen its partnerships with like-minded countries to contribute to development around the world. She also expressed hope that working together, Taiwan and Japan will further deepen our bilateral friendship.
A translation of President Tsai's remarks follows:
I am delighted to meet with Chairman Ohashi again. I want to thank you for your longstanding support for Taiwan. You have also come to congratulate the president- and vice president-elect on their election shortly after the polls closed in Taiwan, demonstrating the close friendship between Taiwan and Japan.
On behalf of the people of Taiwan, I want to express heartfelt condolences on the damage and loss of life caused by the earthquake that struck Japan's Noto Peninsula on January 1. Members of the public here in Taiwan have collected donations in the hope of providing disaster relief to the government of Japan. We sincerely hope for the successful reconstruction of affected areas.
I also want to thank the Japanese government for expressing support several times at international venues for Taiwan's international participation. At the G7 Summit and APEC meetings last year in particular, Japan reiterated the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait to the broader region and the world.
As responsible members of the international community, Taiwan and Japan have long done their utmost to maintain regional peace and stability. Taiwan will continue to strengthen its partnerships with like-minded countries to contribute to development around the world.
In recent years, we have seen a consistent uptick in bilateral exchanges. One example was the marching band of Tokyo University of Agriculture's Second High School performing at our National Day Celebration last October. For the Taiwanese people, this not only brought to mind the brilliant performance of the Kyoto Tachibana Senior High School Band at the previous year's celebration, it was also a reminder of Japan's friendship and the vitality of Japanese youth.
In closing, I thank the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association for its many years of support, which have helped Taiwan and Japan build an even stauncher friendship. Chairman Ohashi, I once again welcome you and your delegation to Taiwan, and I look forward to working together to take our bilateral relationship to new heights.
Chairman Ohashi then delivered remarks, stating that President Tsai has long made outstanding contributions to Taiwan-Japan relations and thanking her for her efforts. The chairman noted that he had visited President-elect Lai Ching-te and Vice President-elect Bi-khim Hsiao (蕭美琴) earlier in the day to express his congratulations. He said he believes that the result of the election is testament to public approval for the policies and executive abilities of President Tsai and other leaders from across Taiwanese society. Chairman Ohashi also expressed hope that under the leadership of incoming President Lai, Taiwan will be able to further its development across the board as well as its relations with Japan. He said that standing shoulder to shoulder, Taiwan and Japan will work together toward regional development in East Asia and peace around the world.
Chairman Ohashi mentioned that every year at the National Day celebration held by the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in Japan, he says that if the Taiwan-Japan relationship could be emulated around the world, there would be no more war. Noting that Representative to Japan Frank Hsieh (謝長廷) has made a special effort to engage with Japan at the local level, Chairman Ohashi said that even he has not been to many of the places that Representative Hsieh has visited. It is clear, he said, that Representative Hsieh attaches great importance to exchanges between Taiwan and Japan, and that this is one of the main reasons for the continued progress in our bilateral relationship. Chairman Ohashi then expressed his gratitude to Representative Hsieh for his efforts.
Chairman Ohashi stated that in the wake of the Noto Peninsula earthquake, Taiwan not only donated money, but readied personnel to travel to Japan to provide assistance. For this, Chairman Ohashi expressed gratitude on behalf of the Japanese government and those affected by the earthquake.
Also in attendance at the meeting was Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association Taipei Office Chief Representative Katayama Kazuyuki.