March 12, 2015
No. 037
Minister of Foreign Affairs David Y. L. Lin and Mrs. Lin hosted the 2015 spring banquet of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) on March 12 at the Grand Hotel for foreign ambassadors, representatives, and their spouses posted in the Republic of China so as to thank them for their support and herald the new year. The festive event entertained over 250 guests, including President Ma Ying-jeou, Vice President Wu Den-yih and Mrs. Wu, Premier Mao Chi-kuo and Mrs. Mao, members of the Cabinet, business community leaders, media moguls, and prominent cultural figures.
President Ma said in his remarks that, after taking office in 2008, his administration adopted the policy objectives to promote a prosperous Taiwan, peaceful cross-strait relations, and friendly international ties. Over the past six years, the government has promoted the development of peaceful cross-strait relations based on the 1992 Consensus of “one China, with each side having its respective interpretation” and has maintained the status quo of no unification, no independence, and no use of force under the framework of the ROC Constitution. The two sides of the Taiwan Strait have established systematic communication channels, making relations with mainland China the most stable and peaceful in the last 65 years. Daniel Russel, US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, has stated that Taiwan-US relations have been very constructive over the past few years, and that the US hopes to see the continued positive development of cross-strait relations.
President Ma also stated that during this time Taiwan has been looking for viable ways to engage with other countries under the principles of dignity, autonomy, pragmatism and flexibility, thereby deepening Taiwan’s foreign relations. Through the government’s efforts, a total of 140 countries and areas now offer ROC citizens visa waivers or landing visas, up from 54 when President Ma first assumed office. The ROC has also signed youth working holiday agreements with 13 countries, spurring people-to-people exchanges between the youth of Taiwan and these countries. In addition, Taiwan has attended the World Health Assembly for the sixth consecutive year and has enjoyed greater involvement and participation in the International Civil Aviation Organization and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Such advancements represent just some of the fruits of the ROC viable diplomacy policy, which is in effect peace diplomacy.
President Ma also reiterated that in August 2012 he proposed the East China Sea Peace Initiative, which led to the singing of a Taiwan-Japan fisheries agreement resolving bilateral fishing disputes that had lasted for 40 years. As a result of Taiwan’s contributions to East Asia, the organization People to People International awarded him the 2014 Eisenhower Medallion in September 2014. Likewise, the European Parliament lauded the spirit of the East China Sea Peace Initiative in its report on EU-China relations released March 14, 2013. As one can see, Taiwan’s efforts to promote regional peace have received wide affirmation in the international community.
In his address, Minister of Foreign Affairs David Y. L. Lin thanked the foreign ambassadors and representatives for their long-term support, adding that the ROC will continue to strive to resolve conflicts peacefully and serve as a humanitarian aid provider. Taiwan will also foster cooperation and exchanges with other countries in a wide range of areas to the mutual benefit and prosperity of the countries involved.
Mr. Ludwig Dowong Keke, Nauru ambassador to the ROC and dean of the diplomatic corps, praised the success of President Ma’s viable diplomacy policy and the ROC government’s achievements in the areas of international relations, the economy, and humanitarian aid.
With the theme Greeting Spring as One Family, the banquet featured entertainment from various performance groups, such as the O-Kai Singers, the Team Win Lion Dance Theatre, the Taipei Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Taipei Folk Dance Theatre. These groups were also sponsored by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to embark on cultural exchanges overseas last year. Minster Lin and his wife joined ambassadors, representatives, and their families from 12 countries in offering performances of their own.
The event concluded with heartwarming interaction between the performance groups and the audience. Senior-level officials, business community representatives, cultural figures, media moguls, and academics from Taiwan welcomed this opportunity to interact with foreign envoys posted in the ROC. (E)