By Chen Yun / Staff reporter
Former president Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) arrived in Taiwan yesterday morning after concluding a trip to the US, vowing to continue to help the nation forge global connections following a packed itinerary that included meetings with politicians, academics and tech entrepreneurs.
During her week-long trip, Tsai visited Stanford University, the Hoover Institution and Silicon Valley in San Francisco, and met with US Representative Nancy Pelosi, former US secretary of state Condoleezza Rice, Taiwanese expatriates and representatives of start-ups.
The meetings continued her effort to “bring Taiwan to the world, and bring the world back to Taiwan,” Tsai said.
Former president Tsai Ing-wen waves after arriving at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport from the US yesterday morning.
Photo: Chu Pei-hsiung, Taipei Times
While the trip has ended, “Taiwan’s connection with the world will not stop. We will continue to work hard and continue to make friends for Taiwan,” the former president said.
Overseas Taiwanese should shift their perspective when stepping out into the world — rather than just asking what Taiwan can learn, they should also ask what Taiwan has that the global community needs, she said.
Taiwan has technology, manufacturing capabilities and engineering talent, alongside the democratic experience and societal resilience it has accumulated, which are all things it can offer, Tsai said.
The trip reaffirmed that Taiwan has many friends globally, she said, adding that whenever she meets with friends, hears new ideas or sees Taiwanese working hard globally, she wants to share those experiences at home.