The May 29-June 1 visit by New Zealand MPs Brooke van Velden and James McDowall is sincerely welcomed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. (MOFA)
 

The visit by New Zealand’s ACT Party Deputy Leader Brooke van Velden and Party Spokesperson for Defense James McDowall is sincerely welcomed by the government and people of Taiwan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

During their May 29-June 1 stay, van Velden and McDowall will meet with Foreign Minister Jaushieh Joseph Wu and attend a banquet hosted by Deputy Foreign Minister Tien Chung-kwang.

They will also pay calls at the National Security Council, Cabinet-level Council of Indigenous Peoples and Office of Trade Negotiations, as well as the Bureau of Foreign Trade under the Ministry of Economic Affairs to discuss matters of mutual interest.

According to the MOFA, both lawmakers are key members of the New Zealand Parliament’s All-Party Parliamentary Group on Taiwan, which was launched March 29 this year.

Earlier this month, group co-chairs Simon O’Connor and Ingrid Leary signed a letter on behalf of members calling on the New Zealand government and Parliament to support Taiwan’s participation in the World Health Organization and its decision-making body, the World Health Assembly.

Taiwan and New Zealand are like-minded democratic partners bound by their respect for human rights and the rule of law, the MOFA said, adding that the two sides have strong ties spanning many areas.

As the two countries celebrate the 10th anniversary of their bilateral economic cooperation agreement, the ministry said the government will continue cooperating with New Zealand to deepen two-way ties and promote further exchanges. (SFC-E)