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Visiting Lord Price, Minister of State for Trade and Investment and Lord Faulkner
Release date：2016-07-18
Visiting Lord Price, Minister of State for Trade and Investment and Lord Faulkner, representative of British commerce in Taiwan - Mayor Cheng: Encourage the commercial, educational, and cultural collaboration and exchange between Taiwan and the UK
During Day 9 of the “2016 Asia Silicon Valley & Smart Taoyuan - Exchange Tour with the Netherlands, France, and the UK,” the Taoyuan City Government delegate led by Taoyuan City Mayor Cheng Wen-Tsan visited Lord Price, Minister of State for Trade and Investment, in the morning and Lord Faulkner, member of the British-Taiwan All Party Parliamentary Group in the afternoon on June 30th (local time). The purpose of these meetings was to exchange ideas and opinions regarding commerce and business investments between Taiwan and the UK.
After visiting Minister Price, Mayor Cheng expressed that both sides discussed about commercial investments between Taiwan and the UK as well as Taiwan-British economic and trade relationships after Britain’s exit from the European Union (Brexit). During the talks, Minister Price said that after Brexit, the UK and the EU would still adopt a Single Market model. There would be no major changes to the status of commerce or trade. Mayor Cheng also explained to Minister Price that Taiwan’s national financial stabilization funds and contingency measures have been prepared for the event. Brexit did not make major impacts to Taiwan’s securities and foreign exchange market. Although the British pound was still reeling from recent devaluation, the British economy still appeared to be extremely robust on the long-term.
Mayor Cheng pointed out that many British companies have invested in Taoyuan. This included the “SBC International Cinemas” at the Metro Walk Shopping Center. The first prize of the International Design Competition for Taoyuan International Airport Terminal 3 Area was also awarded to CECI (a Taiwanese company) and Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners from the UK. Britain has plenty of experiences in public transportation, harbor construction, architecture, water works, and environmental protection, and British companies would be more than welcomed to participate in public construction projects in Taiwan.
Mayor Cheng said that there were many Taiwanese students studying in the UK, and the British government grants 1,000 working holiday visa to Taiwanese students every year. Mayor Cheng hoped that the UK educational system could provide Taiwan with additional opportunities in improving exchanges between Taiwan and Britain.
After visiting Lord Faulkner, representative of British commerce in Taiwan, Mayor Cheng expressed that Representative Faulkner was also the co-chairman of the “British-Taiwanese All Party Parliamentary Group,” an old-friend, and a long-time supporter of Taiwanese democracy. Taiwan has been working very closely with the UK in matters of commerce, tourism, education, and industrial investments. It is hoped that the visit could encourage better economic and commercial partnerships as well as educational and cultural exchange between Taiwan and Britain.
Mayor Cheng pointed out that Lord Faulkner has been an old friend of Taiwan. Mayor Cheng specifically mentioned that Taiwan’s current policy of maintaining status quo was a practical one for cross-Strait relationships. Taiwan does not intend to fight against China, and the international community would understand Taiwan’s efforts, though Beijing did not seem very receptive. The number of Mainland Chinese tourists may have dropped slightly, but this figure was mostly concerned with tour groups. Tourists embarking on self-guided tours and business visitors, on the other hand, have increased. Mayor Cheng further pointed out that there should be no confrontation between Taiwan and China. Normal channels of exchange should be restored as soon as possible to benefit both parties. Representative Faulkner greatly appreciated the maintenance of status quo. He understood that Taiwan’s democracy has reached a certain stage of maturity and that the youths held strong democratic beliefs. The status quo is something that should be protected.
Mayor Cheng also mentioned that Minister Price and Representative Faulkner will be attending the Taiwan Britain Business Council’s Annual Conference in September 2016 and propose 6 areas for improved collaboration, namely digital economics, smart city, finances, retail, cultural and creative industries, and biotechnology and medicine. Mayor Cheng also told the British representatives that these 6 areas happened to be part of key investment areas of the “New Economic Model” proposed by President Tsai Ing-wen, providing plenty of partnership opportunities to both sides. British success in globalization could also be referenced in order to improve commercial development projects and provide additional opportunities for future industrial development.
Mayor Cheng also paid a visit to the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). According to Mayor Cheng, the British media has a strong intellectual tradition in their pursuit for universal values. They not only focused upon viewership, but emphasized the influence of words and speeches. BBC media workers are given high degrees of freedom to provide a natural portrayal of events to its listeners and viewers, leaving a strong impression upon Mayor Cheng.
During Day 9 of the “2016 Asia Silicon Valley & Smart Taoyuan - Exchange Tour with the Netherlands, France, and the UK,” the Taoyuan City Government delegate led by Taoyuan City Mayor Cheng Wen-Tsan visited Lord Price, Minister of State for Trade and Investment, in the morning and Lord Faulkner, member of the British-Taiwan All Party Parliamentary Group in the afternoon on June 30th (local time). The purpose of these meetings was to exchange ideas and opinions regarding commerce and business investments between Taiwan and the UK.
After visiting Minister Price, Mayor Cheng expressed that both sides discussed about commercial investments between Taiwan and the UK as well as Taiwan-British economic and trade relationships after Britain’s exit from the European Union (Brexit). During the talks, Minister Price said that after Brexit, the UK and the EU would still adopt a Single Market model. There would be no major changes to the status of commerce or trade. Mayor Cheng also explained to Minister Price that Taiwan’s national financial stabilization funds and contingency measures have been prepared for the event. Brexit did not make major impacts to Taiwan’s securities and foreign exchange market. Although the British pound was still reeling from recent devaluation, the British economy still appeared to be extremely robust on the long-term.
Mayor Cheng pointed out that many British companies have invested in Taoyuan. This included the “SBC International Cinemas” at the Metro Walk Shopping Center. The first prize of the International Design Competition for Taoyuan International Airport Terminal 3 Area was also awarded to CECI (a Taiwanese company) and Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners from the UK. Britain has plenty of experiences in public transportation, harbor construction, architecture, water works, and environmental protection, and British companies would be more than welcomed to participate in public construction projects in Taiwan.
Mayor Cheng said that there were many Taiwanese students studying in the UK, and the British government grants 1,000 working holiday visa to Taiwanese students every year. Mayor Cheng hoped that the UK educational system could provide Taiwan with additional opportunities in improving exchanges between Taiwan and Britain.
After visiting Lord Faulkner, representative of British commerce in Taiwan, Mayor Cheng expressed that Representative Faulkner was also the co-chairman of the “British-Taiwanese All Party Parliamentary Group,” an old-friend, and a long-time supporter of Taiwanese democracy. Taiwan has been working very closely with the UK in matters of commerce, tourism, education, and industrial investments. It is hoped that the visit could encourage better economic and commercial partnerships as well as educational and cultural exchange between Taiwan and Britain.
Mayor Cheng pointed out that Lord Faulkner has been an old friend of Taiwan. Mayor Cheng specifically mentioned that Taiwan’s current policy of maintaining status quo was a practical one for cross-Strait relationships. Taiwan does not intend to fight against China, and the international community would understand Taiwan’s efforts, though Beijing did not seem very receptive. The number of Mainland Chinese tourists may have dropped slightly, but this figure was mostly concerned with tour groups. Tourists embarking on self-guided tours and business visitors, on the other hand, have increased. Mayor Cheng further pointed out that there should be no confrontation between Taiwan and China. Normal channels of exchange should be restored as soon as possible to benefit both parties. Representative Faulkner greatly appreciated the maintenance of status quo. He understood that Taiwan’s democracy has reached a certain stage of maturity and that the youths held strong democratic beliefs. The status quo is something that should be protected.
Mayor Cheng also mentioned that Minister Price and Representative Faulkner will be attending the Taiwan Britain Business Council’s Annual Conference in September 2016 and propose 6 areas for improved collaboration, namely digital economics, smart city, finances, retail, cultural and creative industries, and biotechnology and medicine. Mayor Cheng also told the British representatives that these 6 areas happened to be part of key investment areas of the “New Economic Model” proposed by President Tsai Ing-wen, providing plenty of partnership opportunities to both sides. British success in globalization could also be referenced in order to improve commercial development projects and provide additional opportunities for future industrial development.
Mayor Cheng also paid a visit to the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). According to Mayor Cheng, the British media has a strong intellectual tradition in their pursuit for universal values. They not only focused upon viewership, but emphasized the influence of words and speeches. BBC media workers are given high degrees of freedom to provide a natural portrayal of events to its listeners and viewers, leaving a strong impression upon Mayor Cheng.
