Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim said Aug. 14 that Taiwan is committed to protecting and promoting its Indigenous cultures and languages while working to deepen cooperation and exchanges with Indigenous peoples worldwide.
Hsiao made the remarks while opening the 2025 World Indigenous Broadcasters Network Conference in Taipei City. The event was attended by media executives and representatives of Indigenous groups from Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Norway.
Taiwan’s Indigenous community has made outstanding contributions to fields such as music and sports, the vice president said. She added that the country will host the World Indigenous Games in December and welcomed Indigenous athletes from around the world to attend the event.
The government has continued to promote Indigenous languages through legislation and other means over the past 15 years, Hsiao said. She praised the Taiwan Indigenous Television (TITV) channel’s work to raise public understanding of Indigenous culture since 2005.
According to the vice president, Taiwan’s tribes are also a bridge to connect with Indigenous counterparts such as the Maori of New Zealand, adding that Taiwan will continue strengthening collaboration with Austronesian peoples in the region.
Hsiao concluded by reaffirming the government’s commitment to supporting Indigenous initiatives and encouraged participants to attend the ongoing Harvest Festival of the Amis tribe in eastern Taiwan. (YCH-E)
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