A 160-member Czech delegation visits Taiwan in defiance of Chinese pressure

A 160-member Czech delegation visits Taiwan in defiance of Chinese pressure

2023-03-27

The speaker of the Czech Republic’s Chamber of Deputies, Marketa Pekarova Adamova, is in Taiwan leading a 160-member delegation. On Monday, she visited the Presidential Office and met with President Tsai Ing-wen. Tsai thanked the speaker for going through with the visit amid heavy pressure from China, and called the visit a milestone.

Tsai Ing-wen
President
Speaker Marketa Pekarova Adamova went through with this trip, despite heavy pressure against her not to. This once again demonstrates her strong support for Taiwan, and her trip here is a milestone in Taiwan-Czech relations. Taiwan and the Czech Republic have both experienced authoritarian rule, and are both aware that democracy does not come easily. For these reasons, in our efforts to uphold freedom and democracy, we can become staunch partners.

Marketa Pekarova Adamova
Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies
In the Czech government’s policy declaration, Taiwan was named as one of our priority democratic partners in Asia. The Czech Republic’s new Indo-Pacific strategy also emphasizes this point.

Also on Monday, the Czech Hub in Taiwan was opened jointly by the European Values Center for Security Policy and the Czech Taiwanese Business Chamber. The Czech speaker said that Czechia aimed to be Taiwan’s best friend in Europe, and hoped to spur other countries to open similar centers in Taiwan.

艾達莫娃在強大壓力下訪台蔡總統:台捷重要里程碑

2023-03-27

捷克眾議院議長艾達莫娃率160人訪團來台，今天下午前往總統府、會見蔡英文總統。蔡總統感謝艾達莫娃，在強大壓力之下、依然堅定率領大型代表團訪台，是台捷關係的里程碑。

[[總統蔡英文]]
“這一次艾妲莫娃眾議長，在強大壓力之下也依然率團來訪，再次展現對台灣的強勁支持，這也是台灣和捷克關係進展的重要的里程碑，台灣和捷克都經歷過威權統治，也都深知民主得來不易，所以在堅持民主自由的道路上，更能夠成為彼此堅定的夥伴”

[[捷克眾議院議長艾達莫娃]]
“在捷克政府施政宣言中提到台灣，是我們亞洲優先合作的民主伙伴之一，同樣的，捷克共和國新的"印太戰略"，也強調這一點”

同一天，由捷克智庫歐洲價值安全政策中心（EVC）和捷克台灣商會共同支持成立的「捷克在台中心」揭牌，艾達莫娃致詞時表示，捷克的目標是成為台灣在歐洲最好的朋友，藉此也希望激勵其他國家在台北建立類似的中心，以加強與台灣的關係。

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Lawmakers suggest new direction for Taiwan’s diplomatic relations

The severing of diplomatic ties between Taiwan and Honduras on Sunday has reignited debate on whether Taiwan should change its approach to diplomacy. One DPP lawmaker has suggested that Taiwan begin accepting “dual recognition,” and maintain ties with countries that also recognize Beijing. Meanwhile, one KMT lawmaker says that Taiwan could start a new chapter of international relations if the U.S. and Japan would resume formal relations with Taiwan.

Joseph Wu
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We don’t rule out any possibilities regarding our relations with countries that don’t have diplomatic ties with us. We’re considering the matter very carefully.

On Sunday, Taiwan and Honduras broke off diplomatic relations, leaving Taiwan with 13 diplomatic allies. One day later foreign minister Joseph Wu stated that nothing was off the table when it comes to Taiwan’s international relations. The comment has fueled speculation that Taiwan could switch to an approach of “dual recognition,” allowing countries to have diplomatic ties with both Taiwan and China.

Wang Ting-yu
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We’d be happy to accept any country that is willing to establish official or quasi-official relations with Taiwan. We could abandon the former KMT policy that goes “gentlemen and thieves cannot coexist.” After all, many countries around the world have diplomatic relations with China. Perhaps leaving such a policy would worry China, and put the ball in their court.

Lee De-wei
KMT lawmaker
The ruling administration, that is, President Tsai Ing-wen and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, should consider which approach is in the R.O.C.’s interests. Everyone would support policies that are beneficial for Taiwan.

Both ruling and opposition lawmakers say they would endorse a shift in Taiwan’s diplomatic approach. The current policy has its roots in Taiwan’s authoritarian past. KMT leader Chiang Kai-shek insisted that the R.O.C. in Taiwan was the “real China,” referring to the communist leadership of the PRC as mere “insurgent groups.” Since then, the official policy in Taiwan has been to terminate ties with any country that established diplomatic relations with Beijing. One KMT lawmaker say that the times have changed, adding that if the U.S. and Japan were to resume official ties with Taiwan, it could be a new beginning for Taiwan’s foreign relations.

Johnny Chiang
KMT lawmaker
The U.S. should take the lead and consider resuming diplomatic relations with the R.O.C. Otherwise, it’s very hard for them to persuade other countries to establish diplomatic ties with us, or to not break off relations with us. That’s also the case for Japan, which stands with Taiwan. If they stand with Taiwan, they might as well resume official ties with us.

Cheng Wen-tsan
Vice premier
What we pursue is regional peace and democratic values. Our main approach to international relations is to continue moving forward with friends that share these ideals and values.

Whether Taiwan will let go of its authoritarian legacy and expand its international reach remains to be seen.

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A photo exhibition remembering former Japanese PM is held in Taipei

Former Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo was a staunch ally of Taiwan’s, and his assassination last year left many Taiwanese saddened. A photo exhibition recalling Abe’s numerous exchanges with Taiwan is being held in his memory, and is the first such memorial for a former Japanese prime minister to be held outside of Japan. President Tsai Ing-wen showed up for the exhibition’s opening day, to express her thoughts on the former PM, who she called a good friend.

Pictures of former Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo’s past exchanges with Taiwan adorn the walls of a memorial exhibition in Taipei. President Tsai Ing-wen attended the exhibition’s opening day Monday to make a speech.

Tsai Ing-wen
President
Former Prime Minister Abe Shinzo was a good friend of Taiwan, and a good friend of mine. Abe once shared a photo of himself holding a Taiwanese pineapple and smiling warmly. He had repeatedly called on the international community to pay attention to the stability of the Taiwan Strait. His friendship and contributions to Taiwan laid an important foundation for the development of Taiwan-Japan relations.

Frank Hsieh
Representative to Japan
The reason Taiwanese fondly remember Abe is because he supported us, and he was very considerate and attentive. He is historically the most Taiwan-friendly Japanese prime minister.

Abe was assassinated in July last year. To remember him, Japan held three photo exhibitions, with a fourth one held outside Japan – in Taiwan.

Izumi Hiroyasu
Japanese representative to Taiwan
For such a grand memorial exhibition for a former Japanese prime minister to be held outside of Japan is historically unprecedented. This demonstrates how much love and respect our Taiwanese friends have for former Prime Minister Abe Shinzo.

The exhibition opened just one day after Taiwan and Honduras broke diplomatic ties. Commenting on the matter, Japan’s representative to Taiwan had posted to Facebook saying that Japan would always stand with Taiwan, and would continue to strive for Taiwan.

Izumi Hiroyasu
Japanese representative to Taiwan
We always support Taiwan, which our good friend. When Taiwan faces problems, we are concerned. Just as when we face problems, Taiwan also is concerned.

His words of support are a comforting reminder for many in Taiwan, who are still reeling from the loss of another diplomatic ally.

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Taichung taxi industry celebrates husband and wife team

The city of Taichung has a couple of taxi drivers with a very sweet story. Chang Ken-feng and Liang Su-hua had both lost their spouses when they met through their shared work. As they swapped tips on the taxi industry, they grew closer and closer. Now they’re the first married couple to get a double thumbs-up from the city of Taichung. And they volunteer for the local taxi bus, a free service for rural residents of Taichung.

Close the doors and fasten the seatbelts. The husband and wife are both behind a driving wheel and off they go.

They pull up in rural Taichung.

The driver and passenger chat easily like old friends. The Taichung taxi bus goes up into the mountains, and down along the coast, offering free transport to locals. The couple love to provide this service, despite living on a modest income.

Chang Ken-feng
Taxi bus driver
When you get feedback from your service, it’s a kind of gratitude. That kind of service gives you more of a feeling of power.

After losing their respective spouses, taxi drivers Chang Ken-feng and Liang Su-hua met through work, and ended up married once more.

Liang Su-hua
Taxi bus driver
When I first started in this industry, I had an upset stomach every day. He told me, in this job, if there’s ever something you don’t know about the road, you can always ask me. I thought, “What a kind person!”

At first they chatted about work, then they shared more and more about their personal lives. And in the end, they would drive out for romantic dates--each in their own cab.

Chang Ken-feng
Taxi bus driver
For example, if we were both free at 6 o’clock, we’d go out and get coffee and chat. And then around 7 we’d both go off and get to work.

Alongside their marriage, they’re a formidable team at work, supporting each other 24/7, day and night.

Liang Su-hua
Taxi bus driver
It’s very convenient. The person who needs support is always right by you, always available.

The adoring couple decided to enter the voluntary taxi bus service together. Among a roster of 9,000 drivers, they stand out as the first married couple in Taichung to receive an “Excellent Driver” award simultaneously.

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Wheelchair ballroom dancing champion visits old school to share her story

And now for a spotlight on champion wheelchair ballroom dancer Ho Hsin-ju. After losing her legs at the age of 9, Ho Hsin-ju spent many years coming to terms with life in a wheelchair. When she found ballroom dancing, everything changed. She and her husband now tour Taiwan and abroad, winning championships with their snappy routines. We went with her on a poignant visit to her old school, to share her passion for dance with the next generation.

Children sit in the school hall, enraptured, and clap as they listen to the dancer in front of them. Then it’s time to get up and give ballroom dancing a try.

Ho Hsin-ju shows off some of her elegant moves. She was invited back to her alma mater, Shanchi Elementary in Hsinchu, to introduce her art to the students.

Ho Hsin-ju
Wheelchair ballroom dancer
Decades later, I have the opportunity to come back and share my experiences with the young students. If feels like a return to glory. I’m grateful to the children for their encouragement.

Ho has given speeches all across Taiwan – but coming back to her own school is a different task. She was just in second grade when she lost both her legs in a tragic railway accident. Before that, she had been an avid runner; in an instant her running dreams were lost.

Ho Hsin-ju
Wheelchair ballroom dancer
My biggest dream back then was to be in the Olympic track and field team. But later I came across this wheelchair, and when I saw it, it was like seeing a pair of legs. I practiced as hard as I possibly could.

Through many ups and downs, Ho learned how to dance in a wheelchair, making it her new legs. Eventually she won an international reputation, and clinched no. 1 at the Asian Para DanceSport Championships. Her husband shares her passion for dance, and together they enjoy extreme sports as well as competing together on the dance floor.

Husband of Ho Hsin-ju
We have the same interests, so we’ve tried out lots of extreme sports together – things I had never done before, like touring the whole country, diving, kayaking, and paragliding.

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Nicole has taken her passion for art and turned it into a real service for clients from all walks of life. She’s always refining her skills, and has carved out a sturdy niche in the highly competitive world of nail art.

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