BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – LAST week, the Chief Executive Officer and owner of SKNVibes, Stachio Williams, returned to the Federation after a one-week invitational visit to the Republic of China on Taiwan to witness the historic Inauguration of that island’s 14th President and first female Leader – Tsai Ing-wen.
In a sit down interview, Williams declared that his visit to Taiwan was not only to attend the Inauguration among a press delegation of some 40 journalists from more than 30 countries, but also to see the beauty of the island and its hybrid culture as well as to enjoy its delectable cuisine.
“Many others, like myself, had flown into the country through the kind courtesy of the Taiwan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and we were warmly welcomed by all whom we met. For example, while in the office of Dr. Chen- Sheng Ho, the Director of the Department of International Affairs at the Taiwan Institute of Economic Research, he said: ‘Taiwan would like to be friends with everybody...that is how we survive.’”
Williams stated that their itinerary included conducted tours to many parts of the island, including a visit to the Legislative Yuan where they were addressed by the new Speaker of the Taiwanese Parliament, Jia-Chyuan Su.
“We also visited the GoGoRo Company which produces electric smart scooters in the ‘Internet of Things’ spirit, and a multi-million dollar company called Singtex. This company produces waterproof and sweat-poof material from recycled plastic bottles and the waste of ground coffee beans.”
The CEO admitted that he was taken aback when they visited the Formosa Television, where the News Department’s Deputy Manager Paul Tsai explained that through that entity Taiwan keeps its populace informed with seven round-the-clock news stations.
He recalled his visit to three other important areas on the island. One being the world-class Kaoshiung Stadium where solar panels also provide energy to that masterpiece; the other was at the Taiwan Indigenous Peoples Cultural Park where they were entertained, as they danced, played traditional games while some of them were given the opportunity to fire an ancient aboriginal bamboo cannon.
And the third area of importance was the majestic Taipei 101. Williams however claimed that he was disappointed because while envisaging a panoramic view from atop the 508-metre tall skyscraper, his vision was impeded by the heavy rain and misty condition.
In a brief account of the Swearing-In Ceremony, Williams said: “It commenced with a military parade and concluded with a flyby of a number of jet planes. There were also artistic performances which showcased the country’s history from before the arrival of Chinese inhabitants. And among the performers, who include singers, were members of local minority communities.”
He said the new President was sworn in with an impressive ceremony and an address which emphasised domestic economic strength and dialogue, noting an excerpt which said, “The people elected a new President and new Government with one single expectation - solving problems.”
He said there were only two problems whilst in Taiwan.
“The visit was too short and I was left at times to wonder what some persons were saying in the absence of our interpreter. But the universal languages did not fail – laughter and signs.”
Williams noted that in Tsai’s inauguration speech, she spoke to the economy, social welfare and social justice, and commented on the cross-strait relationship, promising dialogue as well as to become a “proactive communicator for peace”.
“Taiwan has always played an indispensable role in the region’s development. But in recent years, regional developments have been changing rapidly. If Taiwan does not effectively use its strength and leverage to proactively participate in regional affairs, it will not only become insignificant, it might even become marginalised and lose its ability to determine its own future,” the President said.
He claimed that the relationship between Taiwan and China is only one of the new President’s challenges, noting that she hails from a Hakka and Taiwanese aboriginal family and that she had emphasised in her inauguration speech the need for a more inclusive society and ethnic diversity.
Williams is of the strong view that Taiwan is the epitome of democracy and offered an explanation for his perception.
“I had observed a separate area was provided in proximity to the Presidential Palace where protesters could amalgamate to hold demonstrations. That was a very strange sight to behold. In my 30-plus years, I have never seen or heard of a similar decision taken by any political administration. That’s true democracy.”
The 59-year-old former law professor was elected in a landslide victory in January, when she gained approximately 56 percent of the vote. Her victory at the polls marked the first time that the Democratic Progressive Party has gained control of both the Presidency and Legislature since 1949 when Chiang Kai Shek had taken his Nationalist Kuomintang Government across the Taiwan Strait to escape the Communist forces in Mainland China.
Taiwan is situated approximately some 180km (110 miles) off the south eastern coast of Mainland China, which lies across the Taiwan Strait, and is said to have an area of 36,193km2 (13,974 square miles). The East China Sea lies to the north, the Philippine Sea to the east, the Bashi Channel of the Luzon Strait directly to the south and the South China Sea to the southwest.
