The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Australia held the National Day reception on the evening of October 8 at the National Gallery of Australia. Hosted by Ambassador and Mrs. Douglas Hsu, the event attracted around 300 guests from politics, business, academia, and media to celebrate the 113th anniversary of the Republic of China together.
In his speech, Ambassador Hsu shared the progress of Taiwan's democracy and expressed gratitude to the Australian government, parliament, and many friends for their congratulations on our successful presidential election this year. The presidential election not only embodies democracy but also serves as the best testament to Taiwan's commitment to its beliefs.
Ambassador Hsu also shared his two main visions since taking office in 2023: to enhance Taiwan's visibility and to make Taiwan more relevant to Australia's policies. Over the past year, he has engaged with mainstream Australian media and delivered speeches at universities so that more Australians will understand Taiwan better. He has also traveled across Australia to explore cooperation opportunities in strategic industries such as energy, critical minerals, and low-carbon technology.
Reflecting on the past year, Ambassador Hsu highlighted significant progress in Taiwan-Australia relations, including increased exchanges between parliamentarians and government officials, the signing of several cooperation agreements, and close economic ties. Notably, the Australian Senate passed a motion supporting Taiwan in August, and the Australian government has repeatedly reaffirmed its support for Taiwan's international participation, elevating the friendship between Taiwan and Australia.
The reception featured a special "Taiwan-Australia Relations Achievements Zone," showcasing our fruitful accomplishments in democracy, trade, and international participation. There were also booths set up by Taiwan companies such as China Airlines, EVA Air, MSI, Acer, and ASUS, highlighting Taiwan's aviation and high-tech capabilities.
Additionally, a talented Taiwanese youth performed beautiful music on the saxophone, adding to the lively atmosphere. We also invited the Guatemalan Embassy to showcase and offer guests high-quality Guatemalan coffee, allowing everyone to witness the friendship between Taiwan and Guatemala.
