Taiwan and Germany confirmed a scientific and technological cooperation arrangement March 21 in Taipei City, highlighting the two governments’ commitment to advancing partnership, according to the National Science and Technology Council.
Witnessed by NSTC Minister Wu Tsung-tsong and Germany’s Federal Minister of Education and Research Bettina Stark-Watzinger, the accord was signed by Shieh Jhy-wey, head of the Taipei Representative Office in the Federal Republic of Germany, and Jorg Polster, director general of the German Institute Taipei.
Under the agreement, Taiwan and Germany will expand collaboration in areas such as artificial intelligence applications, batteries, hydrogen energy and semiconductors.
According to Wu, the pact demonstrates that Taiwan is willing and able to work with like-minded partners to contribute more to the international community. Stark-Watzinger’s visit to the country shows that science and technology cooperation has lifted the bilateral relationship to new heights, he added.
In response, Stark-Watzinger said the two sides share the values of freedom, democracy, openness and transparency. The accord will help pave the way for broader exchanges based on Taiwan and Germany’s complementary strengths while facilitating economic innovation and high-tech research, she said.
Following the signing ceremony, Stark-Watzinger and her 13-member delegation visited National Taiwan University and the Siemens training center at Nangang Vocational High School in Taipei. The group also toured Taiwan Semiconductor Research Institute under the National Applied Research Laboratories in the northern city of Hsinchu, the NSTC said.
Stark-Watzinger’s contingent additionally met with Minister of Education Pan Wen-chung to discuss topics like Mandarin language education as well as the establishment and operation of academic semiconductor institutions, the NSTC added. (YCH-E)
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