Remarks by Minister Dr. Lin Chia-lung at a luncheon in honor of a delegation from the New Zealand All-Party Parliamentary Group on Taiwan

Remarks by Minister Dr. Lin Chia-lung at a luncheon in honor of a delegation from the New Zealand All-Party Parliamentary Group on Taiwan

• Data Source：Department of West Asian and African Affairs
• Date：2025-04-15

Dr. Lin Chia-lung

Minister of Foreign Affairs

Republic of China (Taiwan)

April 15, 2025

(As Prepared for Delivery)

Ladies and gentlemen:

Kia ora!

On behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, I warmly welcome our friends from New Zealand. Your visit is a testament to ever-closer Taiwan-New Zealand ties.

Our countries are like-minded partners that share such values as freedom, democracy, and human rights. On the basis of this foundation, bilateral trade, investment, and indigenous cooperation have grown steadily-especially since the 2013 signing of the agreement between New Zealand and Taiwan on economic cooperation.

In addition, Taiwan and New Zealand both play key roles in safeguarding the Indo-Pacific region authoritarian expansionism. Communist China has been ramping up attempts at military intimidation against Taiwan and Pacific island countries, as well as in the South China Sea and the Tasman Sea. China's reckless actions undermine stability in the region and threaten the rules-based international order.

I thank New Zealand for publicly reiterating the importance of cross-strait peace and stability. I also extend appreciation to your government for backing up its support through concrete action, including sending a naval vessel to transit the Taiwan Strait last September. New Zealand has also voiced staunch support for Taiwan's participation in international organizations such as the World Health Assembly, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, and the Pacific Islands Forum.

During your trip, I understand that you will call on President Lai Ching-te, interact with members of the Legislative Yuan, meet with government officials, and participate in business and cultural visits. I hope that this will enhance your understanding of Taiwan, open up new perspectives, and pave the way for deeper collaboration in the future.

In closing, I wish you a most pleasant and productive stay. And now, I invite you to join me in a toast: may Taiwan-New Zealand relations go from strength to strength as we work together for a more secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific region. Cheers!