Monday, May 2, 2016

Headline News long-standing commitment to Democratic Pacific Union and the reinforcing the ties between the EU Forum of Speakers of the Legislative New TRO office building and . Both of them joined Bodies of Central American and officially inaugurated Representative Tung in a toast to a Caribbean Basin (FOPREL) is On 26 April, the new premises of the promising future for the ROC in the testament to their commitment to Representative Office in the EU and Belgium, from its new home. expanding Taiwan’s international EU and Belgium (TRO) at Square de Some 100 guests from the EU and participation. Going forward, Meeûs, at the heart of the European Belgian institutions enjoyed the interparliamentary diplomacy is Quarter, were officially inaugurated ensuing reception, taking in the viewed as a way to help Taiwan win with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. VIPs atmosphere of the brand new office due recognition for its democratic attending included ROC Vice Minister building. and economic achievements in of Foreign Affairs, Leo Chenjan Lee, international society. Strengthening MEPs Werner Langen and Viviane these ties is an important precursor Reding, Chairman and Honorary to an expanded participation in the Chairperson of the EP-Taiwan international community. Friendship Group, Belgian MPs Peter Luykx and Alain Destexhe, Co-Chairs Miscellaneous News of the Belgium-Taiwan Friendship Taipei 101 run attracts Group, as well as Belgian Minister of 4,500 competitors State Mark Eyskens. International News On 1 May, a total of 4,500 people ROC steps up interparlia- from Taiwan and abroad took part in mentary diplomacy in this year's "Taipei 101 Run Up," Legislators from Taiwan’s ruling and climbing 2,046 steps in one of the opposition parties are promoting world's tallest buildings and Taiwan’s interparliamentary diplomacy with landmark skyscraper. Participants their counterparts around the world, came from 32 countries, including as evidenced by the establishment of , , , In his inaugural speech, ROC over 40 international friendship Germany, , France, , Representative to the EU and groups in the Legislative Yuan, , South Africa and the st Belgium, Ambassador Kuoyu Tung, following the commencement of the . The race to the 91 highlighted the importance of the 9th Legislative Yuan in February. The floor of the Taipei 101 skyscraper realization of his long-time dream past two months saw a flurry of was held in two divisions, male and that the ROC has a place of its own meetings between Taiwan’s highest female, each carrying a first prize of in the heart of Europe. The lawmaking body and those in NT$38,000 (around €1040). The acquisition of this fully refurbished , India, Japan, South Korea, winning records in both the men's 8-story-building marks the ROC’s as well as Australasian and Latin and women's divisions were set in long term commitment to the EU and American countries. 2005, when Paul Crake of Australia Belgium. clocked 10 minutes and 29 seconds and Austria's Andrea Mayr finished in 12 minutes and 38 seconds.

The Legislative Yuan is also seeking The ROC government took this a positive role in related multilateral festive opportunity to confer upon networks. Its involvement in the Viviane Reding and Werner Langen Asian Pacific Parliamentarians’ each the Order of Brilliant Star with Union, the Central American Grand Cordon, in recognition of their Parliament (PARLACEN), the

Editorial: Taipei Representative Office in the EU and Belgium, Information Division Website: http://www.taiwanembassy.org/be/mp.asp?mp=102 E-mail: [email protected] Tel: +32(0)2/287.28.16 or +32(0)2/287.28.11