President Tsai's remarks at 2018 Europe Day Dinner
On the evening of May 17, President Tsai Ing-wen attended the 2018 Europe Day Dinner held by the European Chamber of Commerce Taiwan.
A transcript of the president's remarks follows:
Good evening, everyone. I want to first start by paying my respects to the victims of the terrorist attack in Paris on Sunday. What took place is a reminder that despite the collective efforts of the international community, we must continue to be vigilant against the threat of terrorism.
We know that the best defense against acts of hatred is the strength of our values and the resilience of our societies. For this, we are grateful to people like Lieutenant-Colonel Arnaud Beltrame, the officer honored around the world for swapping places with a terrorist hostage in Paris. He is an inspiration to us all.
Tonight, I want to start by thanking Mr. Håkan Cervell, Chairman of the European Chamber of Commerce Taiwan (ECCT) and Ms. Madeleine Majorenko, Head of the European Economic and Trade Office (EETO), for inviting me to speak.
It's great to be here again to commemorate the Europe Day with you. This year, as the 30th anniversary for the ECCT and the 15th anniversary of the EETO, we have much to celebrate. Congratulations to you both. Thank you for everything you have done to foster closer relations between Taiwan and the European Union (EU).
I also want to use this opportunity to introduce some important members of my government, who are here with us tonight: Secretary-General David Lee (李大維) of the National Security Council, Minister Chen Mei-ling (陳美伶) of the National Development Council, Minister Yeh Jiunn-rong (葉俊榮) from the Ministry of the Interior, Minister Ho Chen Tan (賀陳旦) from the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, and Mr. Wellington Koo (顧立雄), Chairman of the Financial Supervisory Commission.
Tonight, all of us are here to mark the Europe Day. It's a day that has meaning not just for Europeans, but also for us Taiwan and for all free and democratic countries around the world.
After all, it was the Greeks that devised democracy, the system of governance that gives people a say in how their governments are run. It was the French and Germans that contributed to our modern understanding of civil law, including here in Taiwan. The Magna Carta that led to civil liberties. The European Convention on Human Rights that served as a model for the development and awareness of human rights. And of course, it was the EU that showed us how former adversaries can work together in the interests of peace and prosperity.
The history of Europe is closely connected with the history of modern society. It is a story that has inspired so many countries to embrace democracy, respect for human rights, human dignity, and the rule of law. It is a set of ideals that eventually lit the spark of freedom in many countries around the world, including Taiwan. It is a symbol – a successful symbol – that societies are capable of reconciling their differences for the betterment of not only themselves, but each other.
These are the shared beliefs and common values that tie Taiwan and the EU together. It's a point that is constantly underscored by the large number of European officials and parliamentarians that visit us each year. It was also reaffirmed during the first-ever Taiwan-EU Human Rights Consultation held here in Taipei earlier this year.
We appreciated the EU's recognition of Taiwan as a beacon for human rights in the region. We look forward to working further with the EU to become an even more proactive contributor of human rights and the rule of law to neighboring countries in the region as well.
One other important pillar of our relationship, which is particularly relevant today, is the strong economic and commercial ties that exist between Taiwan and the EU.
Taiwan, a country of 23 million people, is the EU's fifth largest trading partner in the Asia Pacific region. In fact, last year, we were pleased to see our bilateral trade volume hit a record high of US$53.2 billion, representing 9% growth from the year prior. The EU has also continued to be the largest source of foreign direct investment for Taiwan, cumulatively accounting for almost 30% of all our FDI. Surprise or not?
With the support of the businesses represented here tonight, I am determined to do everything we can to sustain and further grow this momentum.
First, we will step up our cooperation in advanced technologies. Already, our "5+2 industrial innovation program," together with the Forward-looking Infrastructure Development Program, are creating new opportunities in industrial cooperation.
These policies encompass several areas in which Europe can play a big part, from AIOT and Industry 4.0 to renewable energy and the circular economy.
I was encouraged to hear that over 10 European countries participated in the Smart City Summit & Expo here in March. I also look forward to a robust presence at European Innovation Week, which is taking place next month.
Furthermore, I have been excited to hear about the interest many world-leading European firms have in the development of wind power in Taiwan. Of course, Mr. Cervell spent a lot of time on this issue. We are now preparing a four-year plan with long-term goals for wind turbine production, as well as the construction and maintenance of offshore wind farms.
This includes infrastructure such as harbor facilities in Taichung and Changhua, as well as the cultivation of skilled personnel.
I know that both of these issues were covered extensively in the ECCT's position paper on wind energy. These investments in renewable energy will be what I call a "triple-win" scenario. They will benefit the company, the consumer, and just as importantly, the global environment.
Second, we are working to make it easier to do business in Taiwan. For the recruitment and employment of foreign professionals, we have eased rules on visas, residency, family members, insurance, taxes, and pensions. The Employment Gold Card, for example, has already been introduced, allowing international talents much greater job flexibility here.
At the same time, reforms to the tax code have reduced the cost of business operation, as well as simplified rates for both individuals and investors. We view all these steps as necessary to modernize Taiwan's regulatory environment.
Next, in order to facilitate more foreign investment, we are preparing to further relax regulations under the Company Law as well as investment restrictions. All of these proposed changes will be fully available online for companies to view and comment on, ensuring full transparency and accountability.
Third, we will continue to work with the EU to move forward on a Bilateral Investment Agreement (BIA). I've made my position clear in the past – my government is fully supportive of this agreement, which will benefit investors, companies, and consumers in both Taiwan and Europe.
We believe it would showcase both Taiwan and the EU's commitment to free trade. We see it as a concrete symbol of the EU's commitment to its like-minded partners. And I hope we will be able to see tangible progress in the years ahead.
Finally, let me conclude by saying that just as Europe celebrates the spirit of the Schuman Declaration, which started the process of integration between European states, Taiwan too looks forward to a future of greater connectivity and cooperation, both with the EU and across the world.
We believe that as like-minded partners, that is, partners that share the same deep and abiding beliefs in democracy, human rights, and the rule of law – there is much Taiwan and the EU can do to together make a positive difference in the region.
I want to express my appreciation to the ECCT for your continued work on behalf of European businesses in Taiwan; I also want to thank the EETO for your support for all areas of the Taiwan-EU relationship, including Taiwan's international space. Of course, each of the businesses represented here tonight is equally appreciated for your interest in Taiwan. And thank you for your sponsorship so that I get a free dinner tonight.
All of you have played critical roles in enhancing the close relationship between Taiwan and the EU. I look forward to seeing another great year of Taiwan-EU relations. And I hope that when I come back next year, the complaints will be less, and there will be a lot more encouragement from the businesses and offices here. It's great to be here especially with those big names, brand names out there. That shows that we are not a bad market; we're actually a rather decent market for European firms.
So thank you for joining us in our development of our economy. And as far as our investment in Europe, let's have a BIA first.
Thank you! I hope all of you have a pleasant evening!