On April 9th, Taiwan Public Policy Foundation and Taiwan Think Tank jointly organized the 100th session of the “Youth Day on Wednesday” symposium, focusing on the theme of “The World’s Window on Taiwan: Revealing Secrets of Overseas Embassies,” inviting scholars and experts to analyze the topic.
Host and Director of the Department of Southeast Asian Studies at Jinan University, Wang Wenyue, expressed that since Taiwan’s departure from the United Nations, its diplomatic situation has been challenging. Finding Taiwan’s position and voice in the international reality is a very difficult task. Foreign personnel are working tirelessly every day around the world to expand Taiwan’s international space. The symposium aimed to provide a deeper understanding of the intricacies of diplomatic affairs through dialogues with diplomats from different countries.
Former Ambassador of the Republic of China in the Netherlands and Deputy Executive Director of the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy, Li Guangzhang, generously shared his wisdom gained from 40 years of diplomatic experience, which he summarized in three words: “Look, Bridge, Skill.” “Look” means to observe carefully, “Bridge” signifies building cultural connections, and “Skill” is about creatively solving problems.
During his tenure in the Netherlands, Li Guangzhang created a couplet using the characters “Netherlands” to emphasize the perseverance of Taiwan’s diplomatic personnel and the necessity to uphold the spirit of Taiwan to make a mark in the world. He highlighted Taiwan’s resilience in dealing with challenges posed by mainland China, asserting that Taiwan is a force for good in the world, capable of assisting in resolving various difficulties and moving towards a “New Taiwan World.”
Li Guangzhang also cited the statement of the ROC Minister of Foreign Affairs, Joseph Wu, that “everyone is a diplomat,” encouraging the young audience to take an interest in international and diplomatic affairs.
Associate Professor Tadahiro Ishihara from the College of International Affairs at National Chengchi University had previously served as a Special Investigator at the Japan Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association), focusing on political and diplomatic analysis, research on Taiwan’s domestic affairs, and cross-strait relations. He emphasized the significance of the free exchange between democratic societies, citing his experiences in diplomatic circles as enriching.
Ishihara analyzed the misconception that Japanese Prime Minister Shozo Ishiba is a “pro-China faction,” noting Ishiba’s visits to Taiwan and exchanges of views with President Tsai Ing-wen on security issues, indicating his interest in promoting peace in the Taiwan Strait and the Indo-Pacific region.
Commissioner Jin Jianxi of the Korean Representative office in Taipei explained that the work of Korean diplomatic personnel in Taiwan encompasses political affairs, consular services, cultural activities, and economic initiatives. In political matters, extensive efforts are made to gather public opinion data and research articles on Taiwan for translation back to Korea. Consular services include facilitating non-resident voting for Korean citizens in Taiwan and assisting Korean travelers with disputes in Taiwan.
Jin Jianxi stressed South Korea’s focus on cultural diplomacy activities in Taiwan, organizing large-scale K-pop dance and singing contests, as well as hosting events to celebrate Korean national holidays. Economic initiatives in Taiwan involve promoting economic cooperation between South Korea and Taiwan, fostering bilateral industry exchanges, and supporting the development of Korean businesses operating in Taiwan.
Lin Yimin, Chairman of the Taiwan United Nations Association, noted that international circumstances are evolving, with Taiwan gaining visibility globally and expectations for more young people to engage in international affairs. Although Taiwan does not have a seat at the United Nations, the Taiwan United Nations Association strives to amplify Taiwan’s voice. Diplomatic personnel stationed worldwide have diverse responsibilities, including building relationships with local communities to promote understanding of Taiwan.
Guo Meicen, Director of the Polling and Public Opinion Center at the Taiwan Think Tank, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to invite frontline diplomats to share their experiences with the audience, encouraging Taiwanese youth to envision their participation in international affairs and ensure Taiwan’s voice is heard on the global stage. She also announced that the results of the 100th “Youth Day on Wednesday” event would be released on the following day.
Following the discussions, the host and the youth participants delved into topics such as “How Taiwan can deepen its foreign relations,” “Informal diplomatic experiences,” and “Preparation for engaging in diplomatic work,” with the speakers providing in-depth analyses and responses.