Han Kuo-yu Leads Legislative Delegation to Washington, Hopes U.S. Congress Will Help Taiwan Expand International Participation

(CNA, Washington, June 24) Legislative Yuan President Han Kuo-yu led a cross-party delegation of legislators on a visit to Washington. This afternoon, he attended a reception hosted by the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States, with over 30 U.S. House representatives in attendance. Han Kuo-yu stated that Taiwan's international situation is like being "able to date but not marry," and appealed to U.S. lawmakers, saying that while formal diplomatic relations between Taiwan and the U.S. are difficult, he hopes the U.S. Congress will assist Taiwan in expanding its participation in international organizations.

Han Kuo-yu led a cross-party legislative delegation to visit the U.S. on June 21. After visiting Phoenix, the delegation arrived in Washington last night. After meeting with U.S. senators today, the delegation attended a reception for the Congressional Taiwan Caucus held at the Longworth House Office Building of the U.S. House of Representatives, hosted by the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office.

U.S. lawmakers attending the reception included former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, "Congressional Taiwan Caucus" Co-Chairs Ami Bera and Greg Stanton, and Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee Michael McCaul, among 33 other U.S. House representatives from both the Democratic and Republican parties.

In his speech, Han Kuo-yu expressed gratitude to the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee and U.S. House representatives for inviting legislators from Taiwan's three major political parties to visit the U.S. The delegation aims to convey blessings from the Taiwanese people on the occasion of the United States' 250th anniversary, wishing America a happy birthday.

He stated that although Taiwan and the United States are separated by the Pacific Ocean, they both cherish the value of freedom and share the important responsibility of safeguarding democratic systems and regional peace and stability.

Han Kuo-yu pointed out that the strengths of the United States include education, technological innovation, the U.S. dollar, military power, and cultural influence. Taiwan also ranks among the top globally in many aspects, including semiconductor manufacturing, its healthcare system, "hidden champion" small and medium-sized enterprises, and serving as a beacon of democracy. Furthermore, there are as many as 2,100 reporters and online workers registered to cover the Legislative Yuan.

He expressed that despite Taiwan's many successes, it feels "very lonely and isolated" internationally because no major power has diplomatic relations with Taiwan, and Taiwan's achievements have not been met with corresponding participation in various international organizations.

He said that every time foreign congressional members visit Taiwan and praise its various achievements, he is reminded of the relationship between Giacomo Casanova and the women around him in Italy. Taiwan's international situation feels like being "able to date but not marry."

He appealed to the U.S. congressional members present, urging them to assist Taiwan in participating in organizations such as INTERPOL and the International Civil Aviation Organization. Even if formal diplomatic relations between Taiwan and the U.S. are difficult, he still hopes the U.S. Congress will help Taiwan expand its participation in international organizations.

DPP Legislator Chen Kuan-ting, a member of the delegation, stated in an interview that the congressional members attending the reception all spoke of their firm support for Taiwan's security and their assurances to Taiwan, which is a commitment that has remained unchanged from the U.S. Congress in the past and present.

Chen Kuan-ting pointed out that the U.S. lawmakers also welcomed this cross-party legislative visit, and that Taiwan's three major political parties share a consensus to defend "our nation's sovereignty" and its democratic and free system.

Regarding the senators the delegation met with today and the topics of discussion, Chen Kuan-ting stated that based on the understanding with the U.S. side, the content cannot be disclosed externally, but he could say that the meetings were very good and the atmosphere was very positive.

The Legislative Yuan stated that during their stay in Washington, Han Kuo-yu and his delegation are expected to engage in exchanges with members of the U.S. Congress, think tanks, overseas compatriots, and the executive branch, to broadly exchange views on important issues such as Taiwan-U.S. relations, regional security, technological cooperation, and economic development. The delegation will also attend the inaugural flight ceremony of EVA Air's Taipei-Washington route on the 26th and then return to Taiwan on the inaugural flight. (Editor: Chou Yung-chieh) 1150625

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