The KMT Department of International Affairs (DIA) held a “2021 End-of-the-year Press Conference (domestic and international)” on December 28, 2021. In addition to a detailed report of the achievements since his appointment in October this year, Alexander C. Huang, Director of the DIA also presented a review of the international situation and future outlook, and announced the key tasks for the DIA in the upcoming year. During the conference, the DIA connected online with Eric Huang, Director of the KMT Representative Office in the US, in order for him to share the progress and achievements of the Representative Office so far.
On October 5 this year, the day Eric Chu took office as the KMT Chairman, the Central Standing Committee immediately approved the establishment of an “International Affairs Working Group”, demonstrating the party’s positive attitude towards strengthening external relations, furthermore emphasizing a “fresh start” for KMT’s position to communicate internationally.
In order to explain KMT’s policy and position to the US more accurately, DIA Deputy Director Eric Huang was dispatched to Washington DC at the end of November to begin the preparatory work for the establishment of the KMT Representative Office in the US. The current working progress is in line with the originally planned schedule and the office is expected to be officially launched after the New Year.
The short video released by the DIA displays various results of the department’s work since October, including the “KMT’s 127th Birthday Celebration and Thanksgiving 2021 Reception” which took place on November 24. We took this opportunity to thank all our friends for their continuous support and love for the KMT. In addition, since Chairman Chu took office, the DIA has assisted in meeting with various foreign representatives in the Republic of China (Taiwan), and assigned Dr. Dennis Weng and retired Lieutenant General Mike Tien to represent Chairman Chu to attend and speak at the “US-Taiwan Defense Industry Conference”.
In terms of hardware, the DIA has evolved the “War Room” into a multifunctional facility. The 86-inch flatscreen TV with full live streaming connectivity allows for smooth video conferencing and information exchange, while the words “For Peace, For Stability, For you” are displayed with a blue sky and white clouds background, forming the wallpaper of the room. These words also represent Director Huang’s self-expectation and goal for the DIA.
Director Huang also presented an overview of the international situation in 2021, and concluded that there are at least three main challenges facing the global community. First, the continuation of the pandemic, second, increased frequencies of extreme weather conditions, and third, global tensions caused by great powers competition. The attention Taiwan has received by the international community recently has increased significantly; however, if this is a result of the increased tension and risk of military conflict in the Taiwan Strait, it is hardly something to be joyous about. In addition, since the DPP has been in power for the past five and a half years, the Republic of China (Taiwan) has lost a total of eight diplomatic relations. As Taiwan’s diplomacy continues to suffer setbacks, it is all the more important to call on the Tsai administration to proceed with caution. Failure to do so could ultimately bring harm to Taiwan.
Looking ahead to 2022, the upcoming 20th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party, the midterm elections of the US, and the local elections in Taiwan will be the most significant factors affecting the assessment of Taiwan’s future security environment. The spread and development of the pandemic and the availability of new vaccines and other medicine will determine how countries respond and their border control policies. However, with the influence of the “metaverse” in innovative technologies, traditional forms of international affairs and global interaction are no longer the same, which can present new possibilities to our diplomatic practice.
In the face of the challenges in the upcoming year, the DIA will officially launch the “KMT Representative Office in the United States” and plan visits to key countries, led by Chairman Chu, party leaders, and senior experts and scholars, as well as formulate the party’s national security related discourse to be widely disseminated to international friends. The DIA will also actively liaise with diplomatic corps, foreign missions, and foreign press based in Taiwan to offer comprehensive briefings and frequent meetings.
Next year, the DIA will hold a reception for the 111th National Day of the Republic of China (Taiwan) and invite all our friends to attend. Finally, the KMT would like to express its high willingness and readiness to communicate and interact with visiting delegations coming to Taiwan and strongly urge the government not to use the pandemic or a busy schedule as an excuse to prevent delegations from contacting the opposition party.
In this time of international uncertainties, tensions and challenges, the KMT/DIA hopes to be a voice for peace and stability, to speak out for our party and to fight for a better development and future for the Republic of China in the international community. Based on our achievements, the DIA will welcome and face the challenges and move forward with confidence in the future!
