Regretably, this year the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Malaysia is unable to host the Reception in celebration of the National Day of the Republic of China (Taiwan) with friends in Malaysia, as we continue to fight against the covid-19 pandemic. Representative Anne Hung is pleased to deliver her National Day speech as follows:

Dear friends:

As the global community continues to fight against COVID-19, a review of the past year shows Taiwan to have displayed fortitude and resilience in realizing numerous internationally acclaimed achievements.

1. Taiwan successfully held its 15th presidential election on January 11, drawing international attention to its commitment to democracy and freedom.

2. Robust democratic mechanisms and high civic consciousness have enhanced mutual trust between government and people and allowed Taiwan to effectively contain the spread of COVID-19 through advance deployment and the provision of open and transparent information. As of October 8, Taiwan has had 524 confirmed cases and seven related deaths, which has won international praise. Moreover, Taiwan had donated more than 54 million medical masks and other epidemic prevention supplies to over 80 countries severely affected by the pandemic out of humanitarian concern.

3. Taiwan’s economy has suffered relatively less than other countries partly because it has successfully contain the spread of COVID-19 without having to impose lockdowns, cancel classes, or stop work or production. And the government has also implemented relief and revitalization measures and stepped up public infrastructure projects. Taiwan registered 0.78 percent growth in the first half of 2020, and with a projection of 1.56 percent growth for the year as a whole.

Taiwan-Malaysia Relations

Taiwan and Malaysia have both enjoyed very cordial and close economic relationship over the decades. Taiwan was Malaysia's 6th largest trading partner while Malaysia was Taiwan's 7th largest with trade volume reached US$ 19.8 billion in 2019. In the meantime, accumulated amount of Taiwan investment in Malaysia has grown to US$ 13.6 billion in 2019 making Taiwan the fifth largest foreign investor in Malaysia.

The robust cultural and educational connections between the two sides laid the foundation for broader expansion in people-to-people ties under New Southbound Policy. Among ASEAN countries, Malaysia is Taiwan's largest source of not just students, but also tourists, which demonstrates the strength of our bilateral exchanges.

As a responsible stakeholder in the international community, Taiwan will continue to bolster cooperation with like-minded countries to jointly promote peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.

I wish continued success and prosperity for the Republic of China (Taiwan) and Malaysia. May the friendship between the peoples of our two countries grow even stronger well into the future. Best wishes to you all. Thank you.