Minister Kung, Ming-Hsin led a delegation of 28 members representing government, industry, academia, and research institutes to Poland on July 26. The delegation engaged in fruitful discussions on industrial cooperation, talent development, and scientific research exchanges with the Ministry of Economic Development and Technology, Ministry of Science and Higher Education, the Polish Development Fund (PFR), and Łukasiewicz Research Network (LRN). During Minister Kung's visit, a cooperation agreement between the Taipei Representative Office in Poland and the Polish Center for International Aid (PCPM) was also inked including a donation of nearly $4 million from Taiwan to deliver humanitarian aid to Ukraine through Poland.
After the delegation’s visit to PCPM and talk with Ukrainian students, Minister Kung presented 15 laptops to the students attending the information session on behalf of the delegation. The eight corporations on the delegation, including Chunghwa Telecom, Chunghwa Investment, Taiwania Capital, and SEMI, showcased their unwavering commitment by contributing a total of 150 laptops. These generous donations will provide significant assistance to Ukrainian students and relevant entities in Ukraine, exemplifying Taiwan's dedication to democratic partners such as Ukraine.
The visit also featured the signing ceremony of a cooperation agreement between the Taipei Representative Office in Poland and PCPM. This initiative, involving Taiwan's donation of nearly $4 million, is dedicated to the relief aid to Ukraine. Minister Kung stated that Taiwan shares the values of freedom and democracy with Ukraine and stands with the global democratic community and commended Ukraine for its resistance to authoritarianism. Emphasizing the true friendship forged on democratic principles, Minister Kung reiterated Taiwan’s empathy for the people of Ukraine. The CEO of PCPM expressed gratitude for Taiwan's assistance to Ukraine with Poland despite being geographically apart and acknowledged the efforts of the outgoing Representative Bob Chen for his instrumental role in advancing the Taiwan-Ukraine cooperation program.
Minister Kung also had a sit-down with 15 Ukrainian students interested in studying in Taiwan, during which Taiwan's scholarships were introduced to encourage students to study and work in Taiwan, and students’ inquiries were addressed as well. Notably, two Ukrainian students were awarded the scholarships for Mandarin Chinese program and exchange program respectively and will arrive in Taiwan this September. Minister Kung extended a warm welcome to outstanding Ukrainian students, emphasizing the mutual benefits of strengthening bilateral exchanges and nurturing friendships between Taiwan and democratic allies.
This visit marked the first instance of a minister-led delegation from Taiwan to Poland. Minister Kung's engagements included meeting with the Minister Przemyslaw Czarnek of Science and Higher Education, the first between the two ministers. The meeting featured the participation of the Secretary of State at the Ministry of Science and Higher Education as well as notable Polish universities and research institutes. The discussions centered on collaboration in university alliance, talent development, joint degree programs, scholarships, and so on. Minister Kung expressed Taiwan's keen interest in fostering cooperation with Poland to extend educational support to Ukrainian students and extended a warm welcome to exceptional international students to pursue their academic endeavors in Taiwan.
In addition, Minister Kung engaged with Grzegorz Piechowiak, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Economic Development and Technology, exchanging insights into 5G, hydrogen, semiconductor, and talent development. Meetings with the Industrial Development Agency (ARP), Polish Investment and Trade Agency (PAIH), and Polish development bank BGK enabled discussions on investment policies and environment in Poland.
Minister Kung highlighted the potential for Poland and other Central and Eastern European countries to form a semiconductor industry cluster and the opportunities for collaboration in the semiconductor supply chain. The University Alliance in Taiwan will be formed to collaborate and exchange with Poland in nurturing talent for industrial growth.
Meanwhile, Minister Kung had the honor of witnessing the MOU signing between Chunghwa Telecom and EXATEL, along with Maciej Małecki, Secretary of State at the Ministry of State Assets, and Grzegorz Piechowia, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Economic Development and Technology. The MOU serves as a catalyst for fostering enhanced cooperation in 5G private networks and smart city initiatives.
Engaging with nearly 40 members of the Polish Parliament, Minister Kung delivered a talk on Taiwan-Poland collaboration in the democratic supply chain, which was attended by the Chair of Polish-Taiwanese Parliamentarian Group.
Taiwan’s engagement with Central and Eastern Europe, initiated through the European Connectivity Project in 2021, is emblematic of Taiwan's robust regional engagement. In particular, Poland, as the most significant player in the region in terms of population and economy, is designated as one of the important target partners in Minister Kung's visit. In response to global supply chain restructuring trends and geopolitical changes, Taiwan will continue to deepen cooperation with Central and Eastern European countries, enhance industrial and talent collaboration, and facilitate the development of resilient democratic supply chains, while both sides together playing key roles in the international arena.
For more details, please contact:
Connie Chang, Director General of the Department of Overall Planning
0910-213-556