President Tsai Ing-wen said Sept. 28 that relations between the Republic of China (Taiwan) and the Holy See are going from strength to strength, and the diplomatic allies will continue working together in promoting peace, prosperity and stability in the Asia-Pacific.
 
ROC-Holy See exchanges are extremely close, Tsai said. This is evidenced by such milestones in the bilateral relationship as the signing in May of a memorandum of understanding on strengthening cooperation in combating money laundering, terrorism financing and associated offenses, she added.
 
According to the president, other examples include the visit in September last year of Vice President Chen Chien-jen to the Vatican for the canonization of Mother Theresa of Calcutta. Chen, who represented Tsai at the event, led a delegation comprising senior ROC government officials during the official six-day trip.
 
Tsai made the remarks while receiving Cardinal Peter Turkson, prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development at the Vatican, at the Office of the President in Taipei City. Turkson is in Taiwan to deliver a keynote address at the World Congress of the Apostleship of the Sea Oct. 1-7 in Kaohsiung City, southern Taiwan.
 
Themed Caught in the Net, the congress will focus on issues related to the trafficking of migrant fishermen, forced labor on board fishing vessels and illegal fishing. It is expected to attract more than 250 academics and experts from over 50 countries and territories.
 
The president said hosting the congress means a great deal and, on behalf of the government and people of Taiwan, she wishes the event and its participants every success.
 
In keeping with the pope’s message for this year’s World Day of Peace, Tsai said the ROC would take every opportunity to cooperate with the Holy See in advancing human development on the basis of the guiding principles of the Catholic Church. She also extended an invitation to the pope to make an official visit to Taiwan.
 
The ROC and Holy See established diplomatic relations in 1942 and cooperate in a variety of areas like culture, education and humanitarian aid. Highlights include “Treasures from Heaven: A Special Exhibition of Artifacts from the Holy See” staged in 2016 at Taipei-based National Palace Museum, the first Taiwan performance of Vatican-based Sistine Chapel Choir in 2014 and the inking of a bilateral agreement on higher education collaboration in 2011. (JSM)