President Ma Ying-jeou and Vice President Vincent C. Siew on the morning of 23rd May at the Presidential Office met with the British-Taiwanese All-Party Parliamentary Group delegation led by Co-Chairmen Sir Nicholas Winterton MP and The Lord Faulkner of Worcester. The delegation of nine parliamentarians visited Taiwan from 19th to 24th May 2008.
President Ma, on behalf of the government and people of the Republic of china (Taiwan), expressed his gratitude to the guests for making the long journey to Taiwan to attend the inauguration of the president and vice president.
President Ma said the ROC (Taiwan) and the UK have consistently maintained strong interaction in the areas of investment and trade, as well as education and culture. The president said he visited the UK in February 2006 to meet with friends and also deliver a speech at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) focusing on his views on policy regarding mainland China. The president said that his policy standpoints remain exactly the same to this day. President Ma noted that Sir Nicholas Winterton on 23rd April of this year tabled a motion for Parliament to support observer status for Taiwan in the World Health Assembly and Taiwan's participation in the World Health Organisation (WHO). The president said he deeply appreciates the efforts made by Sir Nicholas Winterton, adding that he hopes that the members of the delegation will have the opportunity to meet with a range of people from various sectors on this trip to Taiwan, enabling the parliamentarians to better understand the status of Taiwan's development.
Sir Nicholas Winterton, on behalf of the members of his delegation, expressed congratulations to President Ma and Vice President Siew on their inauguration, adding that the festive atmosphere of the event made a deep impression on the parliamentarians. Sir Nicholas Winterton said the British-Taiwanese All-Party Parliamentary Group previously urged the British government and other countries throughout the world to support participation for Taiwan in the WHO. He said this would enable Taiwan to play an ever more active and important role in helping to improve global-based medical research and disease prevention. He said the British-Taiwanese All-Party Parliamentary Group in the future will continue to support Taiwan's participation in international affairs.
Members of the British delegation in Taiwan to participate in the inauguration celebration include Sir Nicholas Winterton MP, The Lord Faulkner of Worcester, The Rt. Hon. Kenneth Clarke MP, The Lord Dholakia, The Baroness Knight of Collingtree, Mr. Andrew Rosindell MP, Lady Ann Winterton MP, Mr. Robert Spink MP and The Lord Rana.
Accompanying the delegation to the Presidential Office to meet with President Ma and Vice President Siew was British Trade and Cultural Office Director Michael Reilly. Also in attendance was Minister of Foreign Affairs Francisco H. L. Ou.
Sir Nicholas Winterton MP and The Lord Faulkner of Worcester, co-chairmen of the British-Taiwanese All-Party Parliamentary Group, were also honoured to be presented with the Order of Brilliant Star with Grand Cordon by the outgoing President Chen Shiu-bian on 19th May in recognition of their long-term effort and contribution of strengthening relations between the ROC (Taiwan) and the UK.
