Deputy Foreign Minister Tien Chung-kwang (fourth right) is joined by Taiwan Fellowship recipients, academics and officials during a presentation event June 25 in Taipei City. (MOFA)
 

Three of the latest Taiwan Fellowship recipients delivered research presentations June 25 at National Central Library in Taipei City, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Themed “Values concerning democracy and freedom in bilateral relations and partnership cooperation,” the event was attended by around 70 academics and research institution representatives from home and abroad.

John Hennessey-Niland, former U.S. Ambassador to Palau, discussed Taiwan and the Pacific islands as strategic links in partnerships between like-minded Asian countries and the U.S. Blanka Brzozowska, associate professor at University of Lodz, detailed Taiwan soft power in Poland, while Kaewkamol Pitakdumrongkit, senior fellow of the Singapore-based S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, examined the future of Taiwan-ASEAN economic cooperation in the context of U.S.-China rivalry and after the recent Taiwan presidential election.

During his opening remarks, Deputy Foreign Minister Tien Chung-kwang said a total of 73 delegations visited Taiwan from the time of the presidential election to the end of the inauguration ceremony, which demonstrates global support for Taiwan’s democratic resilience. The ministry will continue to promote diplomatic principles based on the economy, technology and shared values, while leveraging the country’s strengths in semiconductors and information and communications technology to contribute further to the region and the world, he added.

According to Tien, Taiwan-Europe and Taiwan-U.S. relationships are going from strength to strength, and the government is transforming its New Southbound Policy into a digital version to strengthen exchanges with Indo-Pacific partners. Taiwan is a force for good in the world, as evidenced by its mask donations during the COVID-19 pandemic and humanitarian assistance following the Turkish earthquakes and Russia-Ukraine war, he said, also elaborating further on the country’s bid to join the World Health Assembly earlier this year. 

The presentation was broadcast through the ministry’s Taiwan Alumni Association Facebook page, the MOFA added.

Launched by the MOFA in 2010, the fellowship has enabled over 1,400 academics from 93 countries and territories to conduct research projects at local institutions and universities. (YCH-E)