It is my great pleasure to reach out to the people of Taiwan on the occasion of Polish National Day — the May 3, 1791, Constitution Day. On this day 232 years ago Poles approved a constitution — the first written act of its kind in Europe. It was an example of immense political innovation of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth parliament, which empowered citizens by promoting freedom and equality.
To this day, it reminds us of the importance of cooperation and partnership of the like-minded nations. In this spirit, Poland — a successful central European economy that is strongly anchored in European and transatlantic institutions — is seeking to expand its cooperation with other partners who share our values.
Unprovoked and unjustified armed aggression by the Russian Federation against Ukraine causes us to reflect on matters that are fundamental for every participant in the international system. By continuously providing millions of US dollars and hundreds of tonnes of humanitarian aid to our war-torn neighbor since Feb. 24 last year, Taiwan took a clear stand. I am glad to see that our joint efforts in aiding Ukraine have helped us realize our common values and goals.
Last year, our economic cooperation visibly intensified as a result of Polish-Taiwanese consultations led by Polish Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Technology Grzegorz Piechowiak. Bilateral talks culminated in the signing of several agreements on cooperation in the fields of cutting-edge technologies, electromobility and environmental protection. Several months later, a delegation of Taiwanese trade representatives visited Poland. A new working group on semiconductors was established, creating a platform to discuss and coordinate collaboration in the field of technology.
In December last year, a Polish parliamentary delegation arrived in Taiwan to deepen the bilateral contacts. In March, Kaohsiung welcomed a large delegation of Polish mayors, who took part in the Smart City Summit & Expo.
We get to know each other better not only through reciprocal visits. The Taipei International Book Exhibition featured Poland as this year’s guest of honor of the popular event, a unique opportunity to present our rich literary culture and history in Taiwan. The Polish Pavilion offered several exhibitions dedicated to Polish history and literature. One of the exhibitions called “The Captains of Illustration from Poland” is still being shown in Taiwan in local libraries. I felt honored to see such a vivid interest of Taiwanese visitors in Polish culture. Our pavilion was always filled with guests.
Poland is the center of Europe, just like Taiwan is the center of Asia. We similarly benefit from our geographic positioning that make us attractive to foreign investors. Polish market is performing exceptionally well and is open for new investments in various sectors, from automotive and electromobility, electronics, information and communications technology to green technology and biotechnology. Representatives of Taiwania Capital investment fund specializing in such projects have already visited Poland twice this year looking for new opportunities.
In keeping with tradition, ideals and values of the 1791 constitution, Poland welcomes its closer cooperation with Taiwan, recalling the solidarity and mutual support in challenging times, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and instability caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. I strongly believe that expanded economic, cultural cooperation as well as intensifying people-to-people contacts will further contribute to our already prosperous and stable relations.
Cyryl Kozaczewski is director of the Polish Office in Taipei.
Concerns that the US might abandon Taiwan are often overstated. While US President Donald Trump’s handling of Ukraine raised unease in Taiwan, it is crucial to recognize that Taiwan is not Ukraine. Under Trump, the US views Ukraine largely as a European problem, whereas the Indo-Pacific region remains its primary geopolitical focus. Taipei holds immense strategic value for Washington and is unlikely to be treated as a bargaining chip in US-China relations. Trump’s vision of “making America great again” would be directly undermined by any move to abandon Taiwan. Despite the rhetoric of “America First,” the Trump administration understands the necessity of
In an article published on this page on Tuesday, Kaohsiung-based journalist Julien Oeuillet wrote that “legions of people worldwide would care if a disaster occurred in South Korea or Japan, but the same people would not bat an eyelid if Taiwan disappeared.” That is quite a statement. We are constantly reading about the importance of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC), hailed in Taiwan as the nation’s “silicon shield” protecting it from hostile foreign forces such as the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), and so crucial to the global supply chain for semiconductors that its loss would cost the global economy US$1
US President Donald Trump’s challenge to domestic American economic-political priorities, and abroad to the global balance of power, are not a threat to the security of Taiwan. Trump’s success can go far to contain the real threat — the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) surge to hegemony — while offering expanded defensive opportunities for Taiwan. In a stunning affirmation of the CCP policy of “forceful reunification,” an obscene euphemism for the invasion of Taiwan and the destruction of its democracy, on March 13, 2024, the People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) used Chinese social media platforms to show the first-time linkage of three new
Sasha B. Chhabra’s column (“Michelle Yeoh should no longer be welcome,” March 26, page 8) lamented an Instagram post by renowned actress Michelle Yeoh (楊紫瓊) about her recent visit to “Taipei, China.” It is Chhabra’s opinion that, in response to parroting Beijing’s propaganda about the status of Taiwan, Yeoh should be banned from entering this nation and her films cut off from funding by government-backed agencies, as well as disqualified from competing in the Golden Horse Awards. She and other celebrities, he wrote, must be made to understand “that there are consequences for their actions if they become political pawns of