A delegation of Belgian parliamentarians wrapped up a five-day fact-finding visit to Taiwan March 10, getting up to speed on the latest developments spanning areas such as culture, economy, politics, regional security and cross-strait relations.
Led by Eric Massin, a member of the Belgian Chamber of Representatives and vice president of the BCR’s Social Affairs Committee, the delegation also comprised four members of regional parliaments associated with the country’s Socialist Party—the second-largest group in the chamber and a member of the governing coalition in the Brussels Regional Parliament.
Highlights of the trip included a reception hosted by Vice President Chen Chien-jen, as well as visits to the Environmental Protection Administration, Gender Equality Committee, Hsinchu Science Park, state-backed Industrial Technology Research Institute, Legislative Yuan, Mainland Affairs Council, National Development Council, National Palace Museum and Taipei 101.
While receiving the delegation March 9 at the Office of the President in Taipei, Chen said the ongoing support of Belgium for Taiwan’s bid to play a bigger role in international organizations is deeply appreciated by the government and people.
Over the past four years, Taiwan has hosted visits by 53 federal and regional lawmakers, Chen said. This underscores the close friendship shared by the two countries and augurs well for the development of ties going forward, he added.
According to the vice president, Taiwan enjoys strong parliamentary support in Belgium as evidenced by the BCR’s passage of resolutions like the one in November 2015 supporting the country’s efforts to maintain regional peace and stability. In addition, the chamber has thrown its weight behind the signing of a Taiwan-EU bilateral investment agreement, he said, adding that this reflects the fact that both countries are democracies espousing the universal values of freedom and human rights.
The EU is currently Taiwan’s fifth-largest trading partner and Belgium its sixth-largest trading partner within the EU, Chen said. As the government is promoting the five-plus-two innovative industries initiative, openings exist for Belgian companies to pursue joint opportunities in key sectors targeted for promotion, he added.
At the vanguard of government efforts to revitalize the economy, the initiative targets the five emerging and high-growth sectors of biotech and pharmaceuticals, green energy, national defense, smart machinery and Internet of Things, as well as focuses on promotion of two core concepts: circular economy and a new paradigm for agricultural development.
Examples of cooperation in this regard, the vice president said, include the Taiwan-Belgium Joint Business Council Meeting last November in Taipei, the Taiwan Biotechnology Delegation’s visit to Belgium earlier the same month and the signing of the first-ever Taiwan-Belgium memorandum of understanding on sustainable energy cooperation Oct. 17, 2017, in Brussels.
Chen, who anticipates bilateral relations reaching new heights if Taiwan and the EU can conclude a BIA, urged the delegation to continue advancing this agenda upon returning home. He also reaffirmed the country’s commitment to implementing the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals, citing the release last year of Taiwan first Voluntary National Review of the SDGs and establishment of an advisory council for advancing implementation.
These efforts demonstrate that Taiwan is willing and able to contribute to international society, he said. Much more can be achieved if the country continues receiving the backing of friends like Belgium in its bid to participate in forums such as the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change and World Health Assembly—the decision-making body of the World Health Organization, he added. (JSM)
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