Taiwan has expertise in the field of advanced computer chips, so with more cooperation with the EU, the democratic alliance could improve supply chain resilency, President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) told visiting representatives from the European Parliament in Taipei yesterday.
Bulgarian European Parliament member Andrey Kovatchev is leading a delegation to Taiwan, which includes Ivan Stefanec of Slovakia and Leopoldo Lopez Gil of Spain, who are in the body’s Taiwan Friendship Group.
They arrived in Taiwan on Monday and are to depart on Saturday.
Photo: CNA
Tsai thanked the delegation for the parliament’s long-term support and monitoring of the situation in the Taiwan Strait to uphold regional peace and stability, including by publishing open letters and organizing petitions to back Taiwan’s participation in the international community.
The European Parliament in the past few years has approved resolutions to improve its friendship and economic links with Taiwan, deepening the EU-Taiwan partnership, she said, adding that it is the third straight year that the EU has sent an official delegation to the nation.
“Taiwan and EU share the values of democracy and freedom,” Tsai said.
“We are facing the expansion of authoritarian regimes and changes in economic development around the world,” she said. “Therefore, Taiwan and the EU should continue to share their working experience and promote closer exchanges to expand economic and investment ties, including collaboration in advanced technology industries, to maintain regional security.”
With the European Chips Act approved by the European Parliament in September, Taiwan can undertake enhanced cooperation in semiconductor production and help strengthen its supply chain, she said.
The EU can bolster its semiconductor research and development efforts, and maintain security in the supply and production of computer chips, she added.
“Taiwan has a firm foundation of experience and capability in advanced computer chip manufacturing, so it is a trustworthy partner,” she said.
Both sides look forward to enhanced collaboration and together building a more resilient supply chain in the democratic alliance,” Tsai said, adding that Taiwan desires to sign more bilateral investment agreements.
Kovatchev said that the European Parliament supports Taiwan’s bid to take part in the international community.
It also opposes to any unilateral attempts to change the “status quo” across the Taiwan Strait, he said.
Additional reporting by Yang Yao-ju
GENSLER SURVEY: ‘Economic infrastructure is not enough. A city needs to inspire pride, offer moments of joy and foster a sense of belonging,’ the company said Taipei was named the city with the “highest staying power” in the world by US-based design and architecture firm Gensler. The Taiwanese capital earned the top spot among 65 cities across six continents with 64 percent of Taipei respondents in a survey of 33,000 people saying they wanted to stay in the city. Rounding out the top five were Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City (61 percent), Singapore (59 percent), Sydney (58 percent) and Berlin (51 percent). Sixth to 10th place went to Monterrey, Mexico; Munich, Germany; Sao Paulo, Brazil; Vancouver; and Seoul. Cities in the US were ranked separately, with Minneapolis first at
The Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association has cautioned Japanese travelers to be vigilant against pickpockets at several popular tourist spots in Taiwan, including Taipei’s night markets, the Yongkang Street area, Zhongshan MRT Station, and Jiufen (九份) in New Taipei City. The advisory, titled “Recent Development of Concerns,” was posted on the association’s Web site under its safety and emergency report section. It urges travelers to keep backpacks fully zipped and carried in front, with valuables placed at the bottom of the bag. Visitors are advised to be especially mindful of their belongings when taking photos or speaking on the phone, avoid storing wallets and
ENDORSING TAIWAN: Honduran presidential candidate Nasry Afura said that Honduras was ‘100 times better off’ when it was allied with Taipei The Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday said it would explore the possibility of restoring diplomatic relations with Honduras based on the principle of maintaining national interests and dignity. The ministry made the remarks in response to reporters’ questions regarding an article titled: “Will Taiwan Regain a Diplomatic Ally?” published in The Diplomat on Saturday. The article said Honduras’ presidential election in November could offer Taiwan the chance to regain an ally, as multiple candidates have promoted re-establishing diplomatic relations with Taiwan. Honduras severed diplomatic ties with Taiwan in March 2023 in favor of Beijing, but since switching its diplomatic recognition,
Scoot announced yesterday that starting in October, it would increase flights between Taipei and Japan’s Narita airport and Hokkaido, and between Singapore and Taipei. The low-cost airline, a subsidiary of Singapore Airlines, also said it would launch flights to Chiang Rai in Thailand, Okinawa and Tokyo’s Haneda airport between December and March next year. Flights between Singapore and Chiang Rai would begin on Jan. 1, with five flights per week operated by an Embraer E190-E2 aircraft, Scoot said. Flights between Singapore and Okinawa would begin on Dec. 15, with three flights per week operated by Airbus A320 aircraft, the airline said. Services between Singapore