President Tsai Ing-wen said June 12 that Taiwan is committed to strengthening its meaningful contributions to the global community despite China’s efforts to suppress the nation’s international participation.
 
Taiwan’s determination to connect with the world is evidenced in the actions of its youth overseas volunteers, Tsai said. Their creativity and enthusiasm is helping build international awareness and support for Taiwan and expand the country’s diplomatic space, she added.
 
The president made the remarks while receiving 80 participants in the Youth Overseas Peace Corps at the Office of the President in Taipei City. Launched in 2016 and overseen by the Youth Development Administration under the Ministry of Education, the YOPC provides funding to enable volunteers aged 18-35 to deliver international aid projects proposed by Taiwan tertiary institutions and nonprofit organizations.
 
This year, a total 98 teams comprising more than 1,000 volunteers are scheduled to visit 23 countries and territories. The young people will offer services in fields spanning education, environmental protection, information and communication technology, and medical care.
 
According to Tsai, this year’s YOPC projects spotlight areas in which the nation can make further substantial contributions to the international community. Health care is a perfect example in this regard, she said, adding that Taiwan has cutting-edge medical infrastructure and a long history of providing related assistance and training to diplomatic allies and partner countries around the world.
 
The nation’s medical expertise was highlighted by its recent inclusion as an official member of the Geneva-headquartered International Council for Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use, the president said.
 
Taiwan’s commitment to sharing experiences and knowledge also explain why major countries spoke in favor of its participation at the 71st World Health Assembly—the decision-making body of the World Health Organization—despite pressure from China, Tsai said. Engaging with the world with the same energy and enthusiasm demonstrated by the youth overseas volunteers is the key to further expanding the nation’s diplomatic space, she added. (CPY-E)