April 4, 2016
No. 084
Mr. Axel Knoerig, member of the Committee on Economic Affairs and Energy of Germany’s federal parliament, is leading a delegation on a visit to the Republic of China (Taiwan) from April 4 to 8, 2016, at the invitation of the ROC government.
The purpose of the visit is to gain a better understanding of Taiwan’s political and economic development as well as the current state of cross-strait relations, and promote Taiwan-Germany cooperation on agriculture, medical care, pharmaceuticals, and long-term care.
The delegation will have an audience with President Ma Ying-jeou, and call at the Legislative Yuan, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Ministry of Science and Technology, Council of Agriculture, Mainland Affairs Council, German Institute Taipei, and German Trade Office Taipei. In addition, the delegation will attend a luncheon hosted by Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Leo C. J. Lee, and visit various sites of interest such as Taipei Veterans General Hospital, the National Palace Museum, Taipei 101, the Taiwan Excellence Pavilion, Lungshan Temple, and Taroko National Park.
Germany is Taiwan’s largest trading partner in Europe, while Taiwan is Germany’s fifth-largest trading partner in Asia. Two-way trade reached US$14.6 billion in 2015. In recent years, the two sides have engaged in close exchanges in such fields as economy and trade, science and technology, culture, and tourism.
In September 2015, the ROC Ministry of Education and the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs of the Länder in the Federal Republic of Germany signed a letter of intent on intensifying education cooperation. Meanwhile, to enhance bilateral cooperation on drugs and medical equipment, the ROC Food and Drug Administration signed a joint declaration with the German Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices in October 2015. And on March 24, 2016, the two governments reached an accord to expand each side’s annual quota under their bilateral youth working holiday scheme from 300 to 500, retroactively effective from October 11, 2015.
Other members of the delegation include Tino Sorge and Thomas Stritzl, members of the Committee on Health of the German federal parliament; Matthias Hauer, member of the Finance Committee of the German federal parliament; and Finn Erik Kortkamp, who serves as assistant. (E)