President Tsai Ing-wen recently sent a letter to Pope Francis, responding to the Pope's "Proclamation on World Peace Day 2023".

(file photo)

[Reporter Wu Shuwei/Taipei Report] President Tsai Ing-wen recently sent a letter to Pope Francis in response to the Pope's "Proclamation on World Peace Day 2023."

In her letter, President Tsai pointed out that the outbreak of the Ukrainian-Russian War in February last year made the world deeply appreciate the value of peace, and maintaining regional security has become one of the important consensus among leaders of all countries. Basically, fighting in battle is by no means an option.

President Tsai mentioned that the Holy See’s 2023 World Peace Day Proclamation emphasized that war is a virus for which there is no vaccine, and called for concerted efforts to “heal” the war-torn and epidemic-torn world and formulate appropriate policies for friendly immigration. agree".

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President Tsai pointed out that the outbreak of the Ukrainian-Russian War in February last year made the world deeply appreciate the value of peace, and maintaining regional security has become one of the important consensuses of leaders of all countries. In her National Day speech last year, she reiterated that peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait are the basis for the development of cross-Strait relations. It is by no means an option. Only by respecting the Taiwan people's insistence on sovereignty, democracy and freedom is the basis for resuming positive cross-strait interactions.

President Tsai mentioned that the people of Taiwan deeply feel the ruthlessness of war. In March last year, Taiwanese people spontaneously donated more than 30 million U.S. dollars and raised as many as 650 metric tons of loving materials to aid millions of displaced refugees in Ukraine.

Climate change is another serious challenge facing the world. In addition to continuing to move towards the goal of "2050 net zero emissions", Taiwan will also actively respond to the Holy See's "Laudato si" encyclical and cooperate with the Holy See to promote smart agricultural vegetables and solar power systems , electric vehicles and many other environmental protection projects.

In addition, President Tsai said that Taiwan’s new residents and the new second generation have more than one million people. The immigration policy is inclusive and respects different ethnic groups. In addition to helping the new residents integrate into society through education, the government also organizes various activities to inherit the culture of the new residents and echo the Holy Spirit. Seat attaches great importance to immigration.

President Tsai pointed out that last year coincided with the 80th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of China and the Holy See. My embassy held the "Friendly Taiwan/Brothers" calligraphy and painting exhibition. Manor” seminar, reviewing the deeds of countless priests and nuns who came to Taiwan to dedicate love, leaving a beautiful testimony for the firm friendship between the two sides.

The full text of the President's letter to the Pope follows:

Pope Holy See:

The Holy See's 2023 World Day of Peace message emphasizes that war is a virus for which there is no vaccine, and calls for concerted efforts to "heal" the war-torn and epidemic-torn world and formulate appropriate policies for friendly immigration. We deeply agree.

The Ukrainian-Russian War broke out in February last year (2022), which made the world deeply appreciate the value of peace, and maintaining regional security has become one of the important consensuses of leaders of all countries.

In my National Day speech last year, I reiterated that peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait is the basis for the development of cross-Strait relations, and that military confrontation is by no means an option. Only respecting the Taiwanese people's insistence on sovereignty, democracy and freedom is the basis for restarting positive cross-Strait interactions.

The ruthlessness of war is deeply felt by the people of Taiwan. In March last year, Taiwanese people spontaneously donated more than 30 million US dollars and raised as many as 650 metric tons of loving materials to aid millions of displaced refugees in Ukraine.

We also officially cooperate with Ukrainian local governments and non-governmental organizations to fund hospitals, churches and schools to help Ukrainian people overcome difficulties.

In the future, we will cooperate with like-minded countries to assist in the reconstruction of Ukraine, and respond to the appeal of the Holy See's "Brothers" encyclical to care for the disadvantaged and refugees with practical actions.

As the Holy See said, the past three years of the epidemic have brought the revelation that "no one can be saved alone".

Viruses know no borders, and health is a universal human right, which should not be deprived of any factors such as race, religion, politics, or economics.

Taiwan has launched a national health insurance system since 1995. All citizens have equal rights to medical treatment, and actively contribute to the international arena. Whether it is donating masks, protective equipment, or providing supplies to the poor and helpless, we strive to build an island of resilience. Hope Give the world a better Taiwan.

Although we are still excluded from the World Health Organization so far, we firmly believe that taking the lead in making positive efforts will lead to a "virtuous cycle". We sincerely hope that in the near future, the "Health for All" announced by the World Health Organization Goals can be truly implemented.

Climate change is another serious challenge facing the world. In addition to continuing to move towards the goal of "2050 net zero emissions", Taiwan will also actively respond to the Holy See's "Laudato si" encyclical and cooperate with the Holy See to promote smart agricultural vegetables and solar power systems , electric vehicles and many other environmental protection projects.

There are more than one million new residents and the new second generation in Taiwan. The immigration policy is inclusive and respects different ethnic groups. In addition to helping the new residents integrate into society through education, the government also organizes various activities to inherit the culture of the new residents, echoing the Holy See's emphasis on immigrants.

Last year coincided with the 80th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of China and the Holy See. My embassy held the "Friendly Taiwan/Brothers" calligraphy and painting exhibition, conveying the holy words of God and the Holy See's encyclicals with traditional calligraphy, and held a seminar on "Beautiful Treasure Island, God's Manor" , looking back at the deeds of countless priests and nuns who came to Taiwan to dedicate love, leaving a beautiful testimony for the firm friendship between the two sides.

Light shines in darkness, and darkness has never overcome light.

In the future, Taiwan promises to be the light of the world, and will work hand in hand with the Holy See to create a more just and peaceful human society.

I offer my highest respect to the Holy See, and best wishes to

Shenggong Kangtai

Changlong Education