On 24 January, President Tsai Ing-wen met with a delegation led by Catherine Nettleton, the new representative of the British Office Taipei. During the meeting, the president lauded Taiwan-UK ties and outlined her government’s plans for Taiwan’s greater international participation.
President Tsai told the delegation that Taiwan holds its British ties in high regard, and said she is pleased to see the continued development of bilateral exchanges between the two countries. Expressing her hopes for the continued enhancement of economic and trade relations, the president said she was confident there will be many opportunities for cooperation between Taiwan and the UK in the so called ‘5 plus 2’ industrial development projects including the Internet of Things, biotech and pharmaceuticals, green energy, smart machinery, national defence, new agriculture, and the circular economy.
Highlighting her objectives to achieve greater international participation for Taiwan, the president cited her commitment to international collaboration on economics, security, and humanitarian issues, as well as her will to share Taiwan’s experience in the development of democracy, science, human rights, and the economy. She added that Taiwan and the UK can build upon existing foundations by enhancing cooperation, facing challenges, and making contributions to global society in unison.
The president also praised Representative Nettleton as a ‘highly qualified and seasoned diplomat’ who is no stranger to Taiwan, referring to her study of Chinese in the country 30 years ago. President Tsai expressed much confidence in the appointment of the new Representative and wished her an enjoyable tenure in the post.
Also included in the delegation were Damion Potter, Deputy Representative of the British Office Taipei, and David Snower, head of the British Office Political Section.