President Tsai Ing-wen said Oct. 12 that Taiwan-Czech Republic relations have gone from strength to strength and vowed to continue fostering cooperation with the European like-minded partner in the name of safeguarding democracy and freedom.
“Taiwan and the Czech Republic are partners with shared values”, Tsai said, adding that the two sides “believe in freedom, equality, transparency, human rights and good governance.”
Tsai made the remarks during a video speech broadcast at the 24th Forum 2000 Conference.
According to Tsai, the Aug. 30-Sept. 4 visit of Czech Republic Senate President Milos Vystrcil and accompanying 89-member delegation to Taiwan marks a milestone for both countries. His landmark speech at Taiwan’s Legislature, during which he expressed solidarity by stating “I am Taiwanese” in Mandarin, has further encouraged the government and people, she added.
Strengthened ties are also built on the visit of former Czech Republic President Vaclav Havel to Taiwan in 2004, Tsai said.
The president went on to emphasize the two sides’ long-term economic collaboration. Taiwan is the fourth largest investor in the Czech Republic, she said, adding that locally based tech heavyweights such as Acer Inc., AsusTek Computer Inc. and Foxconn Technology Group have all set up factories in the European country.
The magnitude of Taiwan-Czech collaboration in overseas markets makes the partnership indispensable in restructuring global supply chains, Tsai added.
Additionally, a Taiwan-based Mandarin scholarship program for 50 students from the Czech Republic is set to start operation next year, Tsai said. The program is expected to help deepen understanding and expand people-to-people exchanges between the two sides.
The Forum 2000 Conference was established in 1996 as a joint initiative of Havel, Japanese philanthropist Yohei Sasakawa and Nobel Peace Prize winner Elie Wiesel. It aims to identify key issues confronting governments today and explore ways in which to prevent the escalation of conflicts while fostering religious, cultural and ethnic tolerance. (YCH-E)
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