Ma praises Youth Ambassador Exchange Program

2015/10/20

President Ma Ying-jeou said Oct. 17 that the Youth Ambassador Exchange Program is playing a key role in enhancing Taiwan’s standing in the international arena.

“Over the years, youth ambassadors have highlighted Taiwan’s role in global cultural exchanges, humanitarian aid, peacemaking, technological innovation, trade and business, as well as upholding the legacy of Chinese civilization,” Ma said.

“The government will continue supporting the program going forward, creating more opportunities for expanded exchanges between the young people of Taiwan and their counterparts abroad.”

Ma made the remarks at a program ceremony in Taipei City attended by 700-plus foreign dignitaries, officials, youth ambassadors and representatives of participating colleges and universities.

Launched in 2009 by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the program encourages Taiwan’s young people to apply their diverse talents and skills to such areas as cross-cultural communication and international relations. This year’s 160-member group completed six weeks of training before visiting 41 cities in 35 countries during September.

According to the president, the annual undertaking broadens the global outlook of participants and is warmly received worldwide. “It is also testament to the success of the government’s viable diplomacy approach, which has taken Taiwan’s international relations to a new level,” he said.

“Since I took office in May 2008, the number of countries and territories granting ROC nationals visa-waivers or landing-visa courtesies reached 153, up from 54 seven years ago. At the same time 9.9 million tourists visited the country in 2014, a figure set to top 10 million this year.

“Such a healthy state of affairs underscores the success of government policymaking and augurs well for the future of the nation’s youth,” he added.

By capitalizing on these results, the president said he looks forward to strengthening Taiwan’s role as a promoter of cross-border cooperation and peaceful interaction through his East and South China Sea Peace Initiatives.

“Enhancing resource sharing while setting aside sovereignty disputes enabled us to establish a mutually beneficial path with strategic partners in the region,” Ma said.

“I expect international recognition of our efforts to increase via the extensive reach of the youth ambassador program, paving the way for even more progress on this front.”

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=237895&ctNode=2194&mp=9)