Taiwan Today

Former Swedish representative Henrik Bystrom was granted permanent residency in Taiwan Nov. 16 at a ceremony hosted by Minister of the Interior Jiang Yi-huah. The 58-year-old Bystrom, who served as Sweden’s de facto ambassador to Taiwan between 2001 and 2009, also received the Friendship Medal of Diplomacy from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs during his term. Jiang said he is delighted Bystrom has been granted permanent residency and that he welcomes his “continued contribution of expertise to Taiwan.” Citing Bystrom’s promotion of political, economic, cultural, tourism and educational exchanges between Taiwan and Sweden, the MOI noted that he helped enhance practical relations between the two countries while in office. Bystrom told friends that he has been drawn to Taiwan by the friendliness and kindness of the Taiwanese people. He is expected to work in consultancy for Taiwan-based enterprises, providing them with advice drawn from his experience in foreign relations Bystrom’s decision to stay in Taiwan follows on the heels of a move by another high-profile foreign diplomatic official, former Dutch representative to Taiwan Menno Goedhart, to settle in Xinhua, Tainan County, after retiring from his post this August. According to the MOI, foreigners who legally reside in Taiwan for five years in a row and stay for more than 183 days per year are allowed to apply for permanent residency. Those with outstanding contributions to Taiwan may be excluded from the annual residency requirement. (SB-ML-THN)