November 7, 2017
No.208
Parliamentarians Peter Luykx and Georges Dallemagne, Co-Presidents of the Belgium-Taiwan Friendship Group, will lead a six-member delegation to Taiwan from November 6 to 10 at the invitation of the Republic of China (Taiwan) government. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will hold a reception to welcome the delegation members.
The delegation will call on President Tsai Ing-wen, Legislative Yuan President Su Jia-chyuan, and Minister without Portfolio Audrey Tang. In addition, the members will call at the Environmental Protection Agency, Mainland Affairs Council, and National Health Insurance Administration. The delegation will also visit sites of cultural and economic interest, such as the National Palace Museum, Taipei 101, and the Industrial Technology Research Institute.
This trip aims to give the delegation a better understanding of Taiwan’s most recent political and economic developments, cross-strait relations, digital economy, open government, and sustainable development, as well as government policies, thereby strengthening bilateral parliamentary exchanges.
The Belgian Parliament has long been friendly toward Taiwan. For instance, in November 2015, it passed a resolution concerning Taiwan-Belgium relations, voicing support for Taiwan’s efforts to promote regional peace, continuous dialogue with mainland China, the signing of a bilateral investment agreement and economic cooperation agreement with the European Union, and its meaningful participation in international organizations.
Other members of the cross-party delegation include Representative Leen Dierick, Vice-President of the Committee of Commercial and Economic Law; Representative Els Van Hoof, Member of the Committee of External Relations; Peter Persyn, Vice-President of the Committee of Well-Being, Public Health and Family of the Flemish Parliament; and Representative Wim Van der Donckt, Member of the Committee of Social Affairs. This delegation is particularly meaningful for being the first to contain two Co-Presidents of the Belgium-Taiwan Friendship Group. (E)