Tien, Chung-kwang
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs
Republic of China (Taiwan)
May 19, 2023
(As Prepared for Delivery)
Good afternoon!
It is a great pleasure to attend today’s farewell party. On behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China (Taiwan), I would like to congratulate you all on completing your studies here in Taiwan. I am also delighted to say that six MOFA Taiwan Scholarship recipients have won this year’s Outstanding Graduate Award. Congratulations!
Our government launched the Taiwan Scholarship and Huayu Enrichment Scholarship program in 2004. Since then, more than 13,000 recipients have come to study in Taiwan, including 3,000 MOFA Taiwan Scholarship recipients. The program is widely recognized by our diplomatic allies. It has become a crucial bridge for promoting cultural exchanges and fostering friendships between Taiwan and their countries. And having received a scholarship to study here in Taiwan, each of you has become a cultural ambassador for your country and shared your own cultures and perspectives with Taiwanese people. Through these meaningful interactions, you have forged friendships and relationships that can last a lifetime.
Graduation marks the end of one journey, but also the beginning of another. As you embark on the next chapter in your lives, I wish you the greatest success. The world is evolving at an unprecedented pace, presenting both new opportunities and complex challenges. However, I am confident that each of you possesses the skills and qualities necessary to navigate this ever-changing landscape. Remember that learning is a lifelong journey. The knowledge and experiences you have acquired here will become valuable assets in your life.
Many of our alumni have gone on to make outstanding achievements in their home countries. To facilitate this, our government has established 71 Taiwan Alumni Associations around the world. After returning to your home countries, please keep in touch with our embassies and overseas offices and join your local Taiwan Alumni Association so that you can maintain and continue to build your connections with Taiwan. We hope that your positive experiences of Taiwan will encourage all of you to remain cultural ambassadors for Taiwan for many years to come.
Once again, congratulations to all of you. I wish each of you the best of health, and may all your dreams come true! Thank you!