Representative Chang visits Northern Ireland Capital Belfast
Representative Katharine Siao-Yue Chang of the Taipei Representative Office in the UK visited Belfast from 17 to 19 March 2011. The aims of the visit were to promote governmental communication and cooperation on all levels, to understand better the investment atmosphere in Northern Ireland and to assess the needs of overseas Taiwanese students studying in this area.
During the trip she conducted meetings with Danny Kennedy, Minister for Employment and Learning, Alastair Hamilton, Chief Executive of Invest Northern Ireland, Patrick Convery, the Lord Mayor of Belfast and Ellen Douglas-Cowie, Vice Chancellor of Queen’s University Belfast. She also met with members of the Northern Irish business community.
Representative Chang covered a wide range of topics at these meetings, such as Taiwan-UK bilateral relations, developments in relations across the Taiwan Strait, the investment environment of Northern Ireland, Taiwan’s economic status in the post ECFA age and potential Taiwan-Northern Ireland mutual business opportunities. Representative Chang encouraged Northern Irish companies to cooperate with Taiwanese enterprises in order to promote business and tourism. She also asked for Northern Ireland’s support in promoting a Taiwan-EU Economic Cooperation Agreement (ECA). Both sides agreed to promote practical relations by boosting trade, investment, tourism and overseas study cooperation.
During her visit to Queen’s University Belfast, Representative Chang thanked vice chancellor Ellen Douglas-Cowie for providing care and support to Taiwanese overseas students, and expressed her hope that the university would continue to attract Taiwanese students and develop and deepen cooperation with Taiwan’s high level educational institutions.
Representative Chang also expressed her thanks to Lord (Dennis) Rogan, chairman of the All Party Parliamentary British-Taiwanese Group, and Northern Ireland MP and Vice-Mayor of Belfast Councillor William Humphrey MLA for their great assistance in the organization of this visit. Lord Rogan and Councillor Humphrey are also Chairman and Secretary respectively of the UK chapter of the World League for Freedom and Democracy.
