Tien, Chung-kwang
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs
Republic of China (Taiwan)
September 15, 2023
(As Prepared for Delivery)
Good morning!
It is a pleasure to host the opening ceremony for the 2023 New Southbound Policy Elite Study Program. On behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) of the Republic of China (Taiwan), I extend a warm welcome to our fellowship recipients and all distinguished guests.
Launched by President Tsai Ing-wen in 2016, the New Southbound Policy is a people-centered program focusing on four main areas: economic and trade collaboration, talent exchange, resource sharing, and regional connectivity.
In 2022, MOFA collaborated with Taipei Medical University, National Taipei University of Technology, and National Quemoy University to launch the New Southbound Policy Elite Study Program. Starting with 50 fellowship recipients from six Southeast Asian countries, the program was a resounding success and received very positive feedback.
This year, I am delighted to say that the program has expanded. We welcome one more partner school, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, and 20 more students. These 70 outstanding recipients hail from eight countries: India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Pakistan, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam.
This year’s program will provide students with valuable opportunities to learn from Taiwan’s expertise in public health and medicine, technology, cross-strait relations, agriculture and fisheries, and Mandarin. Our four partner universities are the best in Taiwan in these areas of study. I hope you will study hard over the next five months and return home with much to contribute.
All of you will also have a chance to mingle with Taiwanese students on campus. I trust you will make many good friends. This people-centered focus is what the New Southbound Policy is all about.
Besides school life, I encourage you to seize the opportunity to travel around Taiwan in your spare time and at weekends. You will see how beautiful Taiwan is and get to interact with local people. I understand that you will be learning Mandarin at school, so please take every opportunity to practice with the people you meet. I’ll be testing you when we gather here again next January!
All in all, I hope you all have an enjoyable stay and soak up as much of Taiwan’s life and culture as possible, including Taiwan’s delicious cuisine. And please keep learning—don’t stop being curious.
Finally, I want to thank our four partner universities for working with us to organize the 2023 New Southbound Policy Elite Study Program. It would not have been possible without your efforts and cooperation.
Once again, I welcome all of our fellowship recipients to Taiwan. I wish you all a healthy and happy journey of learning and discovery, and I wish the program every success. Thank you!