A delegation from the Dutch House of Representatives Foreign Trade and Development Committee visited Taiwan and met with President Tsai Ing-wen on the 1st of November. During her speech, Chairwoman Aukje de Vries emphasized the consensus of the Dutch House of Representatives to avoid any unilateral changes to the status quo across the Taiwan Strait. She expressed belief in a bright and hopeful future for Taiwan and the Netherlands, looking forward to closer cooperation.
President Tsai Ing-wen welcomed the delegation and thanked the Dutch House of Representatives for its support towards Taiwan. He urged the Dutch government to pay attention to peace in the Taiwan Strait and to strengthen bilateral relations. Tsai highlighted the shared values of inclusivity, diversity, and democratic freedom between Taiwan and the Netherlands, with close exchanges in fields such as semiconductors, renewable energy, and water resource management. He anticipated further deepening of the partnership in areas like digital trade, cybersecurity, and innovative agriculture.
Chairwoman Aukje de Vries expressed gratitude for the warm reception by President Tsai and noted that it was the first time such a formal delegation of Dutch parliamentarians had visited Taiwan. During the past week, the delegation’s schedule had been tight, and they commended Taiwan’s handling of natural phenomena like the recent typhoon. The purpose of their visit was to gain a better understanding of Taiwan’s politics, economy, society, and cross-strait issues.
De Vries pointed out the excellent bilateral relations between the Netherlands and Taiwan, with close exchanges in trade innovation, technology, agriculture, education, and culture. This year marked the 400th anniversary of the first Dutch arrival in Taiwan, celebrated with various events showcasing the shared history between the two nations.
“We share many commonalities and interactions between the Netherlands and Taiwan,” De Vries stated. Firstly, both uphold vibrant democracies, respect human rights, and value press and association freedoms, along with a focus on sustainable economic development and climate change issues. Secondly, they share values striving to improve labor conditions and the environment. Thirdly, in bilateral economic aspects, Taiwan is the second-largest export market in Asia for the Netherlands, surpassing Japan and South Korea. The Netherlands is the largest European investor in Taiwan, with investments exceeding 35 billion euros, and more than 200 Taiwanese companies use the Netherlands as a gateway to the European market.
De Vries mentioned their responsibility to oversee the policies of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Trade and Development, noting that the topics discussed during the visit would be helpful for their work upon returning home. These policies cover aspects such as trade and investment, climate policy, corporate social responsibility, human rights, and international cooperation in science and innovation, enabling them to strengthen government oversight, including policies regarding Taiwan, the region, and cross-strait relations.
De Vries highlighted the heightened tensions in the region, expressing concerns, and emphasizing the Dutch House of Representatives’ consensus on avoiding any unilateral changes to the cross-strait status quo. She stressed the importance of resolving any disputes through peaceful means and not resorting to the use of force or coercion. The support for Taiwan shown through a series of resolutions passed by the Dutch Parliament underscored the level of support for Taiwan.
In conclusion, De Vries extended thanks to Taiwan for the warm reception, stating that the visit was unforgettable and boosted their confidence in a bright and hopeful future for Taiwan and the Netherlands. She hoped for even closer cooperation between the two nations.
President Tsai Ing-wen delivered a speech welcoming Chairwoman Aukje de Vries and the delegation from the Dutch House of Representatives Foreign Trade and Development Committee, emphasizing their first formal visit to Taiwan. This visit, which coincided with the 400th anniversary of Taiwan-Dutch relations, was declared the “Taiwan-Dutch Innovation and Cultural Exchange Year,” enhancing bilateral exchanges and cooperation. Taiwan and the Netherlands not only share values of inclusivity, diversity, and democratic freedom but also engage closely in areas such as semiconductors, renewable energy, and water resource management, playing critical roles in the global high-tech supply chain.
Tsai stated, “We look forward to deepening our partnership with the Netherlands in areas such as digital trade, cybersecurity, and innovative agriculture, strengthening mutual economic security, and collectively building a resilient and robust democratic supply chain to maintain the rule-based international free trade order. As authoritarianism continues to expand, democratic partners must demonstrate resolve and cooperate in unity to safeguard global security and prosperity.”
Tsai explicitly thanked the Dutch House of Representatives for their support for Taiwan, having passed three pro-Taiwan resolutions this year, urging the Dutch government to focus on peace in the Taiwan Strait and enhance bilateral relations. Notably, the Netherlands became the first country in Europe to pass a resolution against the misinterpretation of UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 that restricts Taiwan’s international participation, countering China’s misinterpretation of the resolution.
He highlighted the increased support from the Dutch government this year, including congratulations on Taiwan’s election completion in January, the dispatch of the HMS Evertsen destroyer through the Taiwan Strait in May, and indirectly supporting Taiwan at the World Health Assembly, all reflecting the steadfast support of the Dutch Parliament for Taiwan.
In closing, Tsai once again welcomed and thanked the delegation, expressing gratitude for walking alongside Taiwan on the path of democratic freedom with the Netherlands, aiming to make more contributions to the world through collaborative efforts.
The visiting delegation also included Dutch MPs Daniëlle Hirsch, Roelien Kamminga, Isa Kahraman, Jan Paternotte, Derk Boswijk, Dennis Ram, Tom van der Lee, Femke Zeedijk, and Eric van der Burg. They were accompanied by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China, Chen Li-guo, and Representative of the Netherlands Office in Taiwan, Guido Tielman. They visited the Office of the President of the Republic of China, where President Tsai received them, with Secretary-General of the Presidential Office, Pan Meng-an, also present.