Director-General and Mrs. Douglas Y.T. Hsu of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Boston hosted a reception for the 107th National Day of the Republic of China (Taiwan) at the Boston Park Plaza Hotel on October 4, 2018. More than 700 people attended the reception, including State Senators, Representatives in New England, local dignitaries, members of the Consular Corps of Boston, Boston Taiwanese community leaders, scholars, and students. The cities of Boston, Newton, Worcester (MA), Central Falls, Pawtucket, and Cranston (RI) all congratulated the celebration of “Republic of China Day,” with the city of Manchester (NH) proclaiming October 10, 2018 as “Republic of China Day.”
The National Day Reception opened with singing the National Anthems of the United States and the Republic of China. Director-General Hsu noted that Taiwan has gradually developed into a high-tech island for biotechnology and smart machinery. Under President Tsai Ing-wen’s leadership, Taiwan will firmly safeguard its democracy, freedom, human rights, and economic development.
Mr. Hsu noted that Taiwan as a responsible stakeholder in the region, in accordance with the principle of “steadfast diplomacy,” will build sincere friendships with countries around the world. In recent years, Taiwan is actively involved in the international community on issues of humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, and climate change. The United States and countries around the world support Taiwan’s participation in the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) and the World Health Assembly (WHA).
Mr. Hsu mentioned that Taiwan and the United States maintain a close economic relationship. Taiwan is the 11th largest trading partner of the U.S. and Taiwan is Massachusetts’s fifth largest export market in Asia, with a total of $70 million in 2017. Additionally, Taiwan is the first foreign government to sign a reciprocal driver’s license agreement with Rhode Island. Mr. Hsu expressed his well wishes that the Republic of China and the United States continue to enjoy an even stronger friendship and close partnership well into the future.
