This Monday, October 10, we celebrate the 111th anniversary of the founding of the Republic of China Taiwan, and I am pleased to greet the entire Taiwanese community in Chile to wish them a Happy National Day, which I extend to all our Chilean friends living in Taiwan.
Resilient Taiwan, pride of the world
Taiwan is a democratic and free country, with a robust and solid system of social welfare, health and education with high quality standards. Even though it is a small island with only 36,000 km2, and lives under constant threat. Taiwan is the 21st largest economy in the world, and the 8th in the world competitiveness ranking, it also ranks 20th in terms of freedom according to Freedom House and regarding press freedom it is number 2 in Asia. All these achievements, which we are proud of, demonstrate the resilient Taiwan, with its stable political system, based on the full participation of its citizens, where you can get ahead and you can build a society, in which the only thing that is valued is its people.
Exchange between Chile and Taiwan
The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Chile has worked for more than 35 years to strengthen and prosper bilateral relations. To advance in this route, we have coordinated this last year 6 business meetings and various training courses, where the good practices of Taiwan were shared, to give added value to Chilean products.
In both the educational and cultural area, Taiwan has offered scholarships to young Chileans to travel to study the traditional Mandarin language and perfect themselves in university careers in Taiwan. We have also brought different artistic and cultural events from our country to Chile, so that Chileans, who have never had the opportunity to set foot on our land, can witness and enjoy Asian culture in person.
Taiwan has always been a country of solidarity, which is why so far this year more than 14 humanitarian aid projects have been carried out throughout the country, which were in support of the poor and disabled, which was a contribution to improve their lives and a complement to their basic needs.
Chile-Taiwan, a common goal, a fairer and more inclusive country
Despite the wide geographical distance that separates us, this should not be an obstacle to achieving more rapprochement. Chile has its sights set on Asia-Pacific in economic terms and Taiwan hopes to expand its trade link even further with Chile.
The world is becoming more dynamic and unstable every day. In this scenario, the common challenge for all is democratic strengthening and sustainability in economy and development, for which Taiwan is a reliable partner. On the occasion of this special commemoration of the National Day, we reaffirm that we will continue to advance in the promotion and defense of values beneficial to all.
Silvia Yu-Chi Liu, Managing Director
Economic and Cultural Office of Taipei, Taiwan in Chile
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