German Federal Minister of Education and Research Bettina Stark-Watzinger (Bettina Stark-Watzinger) arrived in Taiwan today, the first German ministerial official to visit Taiwan in 26 years.

(Photo by reporter Wu Boxuan)

[Reporter Lu Yixuan/Taipei Report] German Federal Minister of Education and Research Bettina Stark-Watzinger arrived in Taiwan this morning (21st) to strengthen academic and teaching-research cooperation.

This is the first visit by a ministerial official from Germany in 26 years. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs hereby expresses its sincere welcome and welcomes the increasingly close interaction and exchanges between Taiwan and Germany.

The German Institute in Taiwan stated that Taiwan is an important, reliable and trustworthy partner in education, research and digital policy.

Germany shares values ​​with Taiwan and contributes to "peace, freedom and human rights".

Stark-Wattersinger and Kai Gehring, Chairman of the German Parliamentary Educational Research Committee, visited Taiwan from 21 to 22. The German Representative to Taiwan Xu Youge, Director of the European Department Yao Jinxiang and others picked up the plane.

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The German Association in Taiwan stated that the purpose of this trip is to strengthen and expand cooperation with Taiwan in the fields of academics, research and education, focusing on semiconductor research and professional talent development, green hydrogen, battery research and other fields.

Stark-Wattsinger will discuss and communicate with the ministers in charge of the above fields, including Wu Zhengzhong, Chairman of the National Science Council, Pan Wenzhong, Minister of Education, and Tang Feng, Minister of Digital Development.

The German Association in Taiwan pointed out that Taiwan has high-tech industries, especially semiconductor development and manufacturing processes that lead the world.

This professional ministerial visit is an important step in expanding important research-policy cooperation between Germany and an internationally attractive partner such as Taiwan in an environment of increasing competitiveness.

The German Association in Taiwan also mentioned that this trip also includes expanding cooperation in the field of Chinese language studies and Chinese language ability. The Minister will visit Taiwan University and a higher vocational school to understand Taiwan's academic and educational training system.

Germany hopes to strengthen Germany's ability to independently study China, which is also promoted by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research in the context of Germany's China strategy.

The German Association in Taiwan stated that this visit is part of the international partnership diversification of the German Ministry of Education and Research, and academic cooperation with countries with the same philosophy is carried out around the world.

Taiwan is an important, reliable and trustworthy partner in education, research and digital policy.

Germany shares and contributes to the same values ​​as Taiwan: peace, freedom and human rights.

The German Association in Taiwan added that the trip was carried out under the existing one-China policy framework between the EU and Germany, and in accordance with the governing agreement of the German coalition government.

Regarding the fact that the German Minister of Education and Research did not visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or meet with the Foreign Minister in Taiwan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained today that the visit was planned by the German Association in Taiwan, and the Chinese government made arrangements according to the purpose of the visit, and gave courtesy and respect.