Taipei Mission in Sweden held a celebration of the 110th National Day of the Republic of China (Taiwan) at the Swedish History Museum on the evening of October 6. The former Prime Minister of Sweden, Hon. Carl Bildt, Vice Chair of the Sweden Taiwan Parliamentarian Association, Hon. Mats Berglund, Members of Swedish Parliament, Ambassador Georges de la Roche, Embassy of Guatemala in Sweden, senior Swedish government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, think tank experts, scholars, journalists and overseas Taiwanese representatives attended the banquet.
In his remarks, Ambassador Vincent Yao, representative of Taipei Mission in Sweden, expressed his gratitude for Swedish government’s support for Taiwan’s participation in international organizations, and for Swedish parliamentarians’ numerous motions and interpellations in support of Taiwan. Ambassador Yao stressed that, though the COVID-19 pandemic is still raging around the world, Taiwan and Sweden continue to deepen bilateral cooperation in the fields of economy, trade and education. Ambassador Yao also mentioned, “Over the past year, the Swedish media’s coverage of Taiwan has increased due to Taiwan’s effective anti-pandemic efforts and China’s constant coercion against Taiwan. On October 6th, Swedish newspaper Dagens Nyheter published an editorial condemning that China has sent over 150 military fights to Taiwan’s air defense identification zone recently. Taiwan will not subject to the coercion from China and will continue to safeguard its democracy. We hope that Sweden, as a democratic country, will keep supporting Taiwan and deepening the bilateral cooperation in the future.”
The Swedish Member of Parliament, Mr. Mats Berglund, on behalf of the Sweden Taiwan Parliamentarian Association (STPA), briefly introduced the association and reaffirmed STPA’s commitment to further strengthening the relationships between Sweden and Taiwan. At the end of his speech, Mr. Mats Berglund invited all the guests to propose a toast to the prosperity of Taiwan and the everlasting friendship between Sweden and Taiwan.
Taipei Mission in Sweden also invited pianist Ashley Chen and pipa musician Ms. Fan-Qi Wu to perform Taiwanese folk songs.
Hon. Mats Berglund delivers his speech.
Ambassador Yao, Hon. Mats Berglund, and the Chairperson of Formosa Culture Association, Mr. Ker-Sheng Chang cut the cake to celebrate the 110th birthday of our country.
Ambassador Yao has a group photo with the guests.
