March 29, 2016
No. 081
Minister of Foreign Affairs David Y. L. Lin and Mrs. Lin hosted the Ministry of Foreign Affairs 2016 Spring Dinner Party March 29 at the Grand Hotel for ambassadors and representatives to the ROC, as well as their spouses, to thank them for their support for Taiwan’s diplomatic work and welcome in the new year. Over 256 guests attended, including President Ma Ying-jeou, Vice President Wu Den-yih and Mrs. Wu, Premier Chang San-cheng, cabinet members, and leaders in business, media, and cultural circles.
In his remarks, President Ma extended his appreciation to all the ROC’s diplomatic allies and friends around the world for their condolences and offers of assistance in the wake of the magnitude 6.4 earthquake that struck the south of the country in February, as this let Taiwan truly feel the care and concern of the international community. He added that, in order to fulfill its international obligations and give back to international society, the ROC would continue to provide humanitarian aid and work with others to promote peace.
President Ma said that, since taking office in 2008, he and his administration had been committed to reducing cross-strait tensions, pragmatically promoting friendly international ties and, through viable diplomacy, expanding Taiwan’s international space and participation. As a consequence, Taiwan’s relations with such countries as the US and Japan, as well as with the EU and ASEAN, are the best they have been in 40 years. President Ma pointed out that US approval of four arms package sales to Taiwan was, at a combined total of US$20.1 billion, the most significant since the enactment of the Taiwan Relations Act in 1979. Similarly, the conclusion of 28 agreements with Japan, including the Taiwan-Japan fisheries agreement that resolved a longstanding fisheries dispute, the signing of 36 bilateral agreements with ASEAN nations, and the issuance and adoption of 30 statements and resolutions friendly to Taiwan by the EU and European Parliament all go to show the breadth and depth of Taiwan’s positive achievements in its relations with other countries.
Moreover, President Ma reminded guests that, due to the efforts of both the government and people, there are now 164 countries and areas in the world that give ROC passport holders visa-free entry, landing visas, or other visa privileges. In addition, 90 countries and areas have signed mutual driver’s license recognition agreements with Taiwan that allow citizens to exchange their license for a local one without needing to take a test. Taiwan has also signed working holiday agreements with 14 countries. Again, these concrete successes were a direct result of the viable diplomacy policy.
President Ma stressed that, based on the virtuous cycle that has formed between cross-strait relations and international relations, the ROC is striving to accomplish the goal of creating peace in the three seas surrounding Taiwan, these being the Taiwan Strait, and the East and South China Seas. President Ma also reiterated that, under the principles of equality and dignity, he had met with mainland Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Singapore on November 7 last year, so as to further elevate the level of communication and mutual trust in cross-strait relations. President Ma said that the East China Sea Peace Initiative he announced on August 5, 2012, calling for disputes to be resolved peacefully by replacing confrontation with dialogue, as well as the South China Sea Peace Initiative he put forward on May 26 last year, and the South China Sea Peace Initiative Roadmap he announced on January 28 this year while visiting Taiping Island, had enabled Taiwan to continue down the path of being a peacemaker on the world stage.
In his address, Minister of Foreign Affairs David Y. L. Lin thanked the ambassadors and representatives to the ROC for their long-standing support, adding that Taiwan will continue to serve as a peacemaker and provider of humanitarian aid, as well as improve the welfare of the citizens of its diplomatic allies through official development assistance programs. Minister Lin also stated that the two peace initiatives put forward by President Ma had not only effectively eased disputes over territory and waters in the East and South China Seas, but had also led to the conclusion of the Taiwan-Japan fisheries agreement and the Agreement Concerning the Facilitation of Cooperation on Law Enforcement in Fisheries Matters with the Philippines, underscoring Taiwan’s determination to maintain regional peace.
Nauruan Ambassador to the ROC and dean of the diplomatic corps, Ludwig Dowong Keke, used his speech to reflect on the firm friendship, mutual support, and cooperation between MOFA and the diplomatic corps. He promised that the diplomatic corps would continue assisting the ROC with participating in international organizations, especially UN specialized agencies. He also wished the ROC government and people continued enjoyment of freedom, peace, harmony, happiness, and prosperity.
Invited to entertain the guests at this year’s banquet, whose theme was The Year of the Monkey Promises Lasting Peace, were the well-known pianist and poet Wang Jun-jie, the 25°C Band, the Skylark Chorus from Anhe Elementary School in New Taipei City, the National Taiwan College of Performing Arts, Team Win Lion Dance Theater, the Department of Sport Performing Arts at the University of Taipei, and the Taipei Yuehfu Drum and Bugle Corps.
A number of ambassadors and representatives, along with their family members, also took to the stage to show off their artistic talent. They included Peruvian Representative Pedro Agustín Guevara Ballón performing the self-written “Sharing Dreams” with his fiancée; Ms. Nina Hyvärinen, wife of Representative Teppo Turkki of Finland’s Trade and Innovation Office, who put on a dance performance called “The Swan”; and Nicaraguan Ambassador William Manuel Tapia Alemán, who performed “Guantanamera.” Minister Lin, accompanied by his two deputy ministers and vice minister, as well as over 10 heads of mission and their family members, together sang a lusty rendition of “Can’t Help Falling in Love.”
The event concluded with performers and guests alike all happily mingling together, with the guests full of praise over the fact that senior government officials and business, media, and cultural leaders were able to interact so closely with diplomatic envoys stationed in the ROC. (E)