President William Lai (賴清德) yesterday expressed hopes for closer ties between Taiwan and Ireland, and that both countries could collaborate to create a values-driven, democracy-centered economic system. He made the remarks while meeting with an Irish cross-party parliamentary delegation visiting Taiwan.
The delegation, led by John McGuinness, deputy speaker of the Irish house of representatives, known as the Dail, includes Irish lawmakers Malcolm Byrne, Barry Ward, Ken O’Flynn and Teresa Costello.
McGuinness, who chairs the Ireland-Taiwan Parliamentary Friendship Association, is a friend of Taiwan, and under his leadership, the association’s influence has grown over the past few years, Lai said.
Photo: CNA
Ireland is a thriving hub for technology and creative industries in Europe, and, like Taiwan, has an export-oriented economy, he said, adding that the industrial structures of the two nations complement each other.
Lai expressed hope that Taiwan’s electronics manufacturing and machinery sectors would deepen collaboration with Ireland’s information technology, software and biomedicine industries.
On Ireland’s “Silicon Island” policy, Lai said that Taiwan looks forward to working with democratic partners to build a “non-red” technology supply chain — one that does not include China.
Ireland’s policy, announced in May, aims to strengthen the country’s role in the global semiconductor industry, a goal that Lai said aligns closely with Taiwan’s objectives.
Lai said that Taiwan and Ireland can enhance cooperation and mutually enhance the competitiveness of each other’s semiconductor industries, ultimately working together to create a value-based, democratic economic system
He also thanked McGuinness for his congratulatory message when Lai was elected president, adding that both Taiwan and Ireland are defenders of democratic and liberal values.
Lai reaffirmed that Taiwan would continue to demonstrate through concrete actions its commitment to being a reliable democratic partner that can contribute to the global community.
McGuinness said he was honored to meet with Lai once again, adding that Ireland continues to take steps to further strengthen Irish-Taiwan relations.
He also said that several of the members of the delegation, while newly elected, represent the passing of the association’s spirit to the next generation, citing O’Flynn, whose father had previously chaired the association, as an example.
International trade and markets are facing significant challenges and uncertainties, and the EU, including Ireland, plays a critical role in global finances, McGuinness said, adding that Ireland would continue to contribute to democracy and free trade.
He also proposed artificial intelligence (AI) as a potential area for collaboration between Taiwan and Ireland, adding that efforts are needed to ensure humanity remains in control of AI, rather than the other way around.
McGuinness said that traditional trade should not be overlooked and called for efforts to expand the trade volume between the two nations.
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