The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China stated that Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung led a delegation to visit the Czech Republic, Italy, and Austria, inspecting the Embassy to the Holy See, deepening Taiwan-Europe relations through “comprehensive diplomacy,” and achieving fruitful results.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China issued a press release stating that Minister Lin Chia-lung visited the Czech Republic, Italy, and Austria from the 11th to the 20th of the month. In addition to participating in various activities of the “Taiwan Cultural Year 2025 in Europe,” he also inspected the Embassy to the Holy See and met with political leaders and friends from the economic, trade, science, and cultural sectors.
Political figures from various countries included Miloš Vystrčil, President of the Czech Senate, Markéta Pekarová Adamová, Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, Marek Benda, Chair of the Czech-Taiwan Friendship Group, Gian Marco Centinaio, Vice President of the Italian Senate, Lucio Malan, President of the Italy-Taiwan Parliamentary Group, Günther Ruprecht, Vice President of the Austrian Federal Parliament, Werner Amon, Chairman of the Austria-Taiwan Parliamentary Friendship Association, and other important pro-Taiwan legislators. The trip was fruitful and contributed to the substantial deepening of Taiwan-Europe value, economic, trade, and cultural connections.
During the visit to the Czech Republic, Minister Lin Chia-lung not only attended the opening ceremony of the exhibition at the Czech National Museum but also went to Brno, the second largest city in the Czech Republic, to visit the Advanced Chip Design and Research Center under the Taiwan-Czech Resilience Project. He exchanged views with the project leader Radek Holý, Professor at ACDRC, and Karel Masařík, Director of the Czech Semiconductor Center (CSC).
Minister Lin emphasized that artificial intelligence (AI) technology is a key factor in the future development of countries, with unlimited potential and business opportunities. The Taiwan-Czech Resilience Project 2.0 could consider incorporating cooperation in the AI technology industry.
Additionally, Minister Lin Chia-lung visited the Czech factories of Foxconn and Wistron, acknowledging that Taiwanese businesses actively investing in the Czech Republic are an important foundation for Taiwan-Czech relations. He also gained deeper insight into the opportunities and challenges for Taiwanese investments in the Czech Republic. According to statistics, the Foxconn Group has been one of the top three exporters in the Czech Republic for many years, creating 5,000 job opportunities in the country, all of which are concrete evidence of Taiwan’s economic and trade diplomacy achievements.
Minister Lin Chia-lung also attended a performance and reception by Taiwan’s renowned performing arts group, U-Theatre, at the Sala Santa Cecilia in Rome, Italy, on the 17th, showcasing Taiwan’s resilient spirit through cultural exchanges.
Minister Lin also attended the completion ceremony and reception for the renovation of the Taipei Representative Office in Italy-owned building in Italy, interacting with several Italian political figures. In his speech, Minister Lin stated that the Taiwan-Italy relationship is built on shared values, with close cultural and economic exchanges, and the newly completed building symbolizes a new chapter in Taiwan-Italy relations.
Furthermore, Minister Lin Chia-lung visited the Embassy of the Republic of China to the Holy See, encouraging colleagues to continue deepening Taiwan’s friendship with the Vatican and presenting a donation of 100,000 euros to the Scalabrini Congregation in response to the Pope Leo XIV’s emphasis on humanitarian care.
Minister Lin also visited the exhibition setting and previewed the exhibits of the “Gloria Glory: Xie Shengmin’s Religious and HOPE Taiwan Art Exhibition,” one of the events in the “Taiwan Cultural Year 2025 in Europe” series.
During the “When East Meets West” concert in Austria, Minister Lin Chia-lung witnessed the cultural event together with Yang Wen-ko, the Magistrate of Hsinchu County, and Austrian political figures.
Additionally, accompanied by pro-Taiwan lawmakers in Austria, Minister Lin Chia-lung visited the Austrian Parliament and dined with Austrian Deputy Speaker Günther Ruprecht, Chairman of the Austria-Taiwan Association Werner Amon, Austrian political figures, businessmen, and cultural figures, exchanging views on a wide range of topics. Taiwan and Austria have closely cooperated in industries such as information and communication technology and machinery, and he looks forward to both countries strengthening parliamentary visits and government exchanges in the future to further enhance bilateral relations.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China will continue to strengthen democratic resilience jointly with European partners who share similar values through “comprehensive diplomacy.” By deepening Taiwan-Europe value connections through cultural activities, enhancing bilateral economic, trade, and technological cooperation on the basis of shared values, and building a close democratic value partnership, it aims to promote security and prosperity for both parties.