August 30, 2015
No. 178
Senator Lucio Malan, President of the Italy-Taiwan Parliamentary Friendship Group, will visit Taiwan from August 30 to September 2, 2015, at the invitation of the government of the Republic of China. An influential figure in Italian politics, Senator Malan has strongly supported Taiwan in Italy’s Senate.
Senator Malan will have an audience with President Ma Ying-jeou and call on Minister of Foreign Affairs David Y. L. Lin, Minister of National Defense Gao Guangchi, Director of the National Palace Museum Fung Ming-chu, Deputy Minister of Culture George Hsu, First Deputy Minister of the Mainland Affairs Council Lin Chu-chia, Legislator Pan Wei-kang, Director General of the Department of International Cooperation of the Ministry of Economic Affairs Tong I-min, Executive Vice President of the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) Wang Hsi-mong, and President of the ROC Chapter of the World League for Freedom and Democracy Yao Eng-chi. The senator will also take excursions to Taipei 101 and the National Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall. In addition, Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin will confer upon Senator Malan the Friendship Medal of Diplomacy and host a dinner in his honor.
Founded in 1994 and comprised of 100 cross-party parliamentarians, the Italy-Taiwan Parliamentary Friendship Group serves as an important driver for enhancing relations between the two countries. At Senator Malan’s behest, the group has expressed staunch support for Taiwan through oral and written declarations, joint statements, and other constructive actions.
This trip will provide Senator Malan a better understanding of Taiwan’s recent political and economic developments, as well as advancements in cross-strait relations, helping foster more robust substantive exchanges between Taiwan and Italy in a wide range of areas. (E)