President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) received a six-member delegation from the New Zealand Parliament on Tuesday. Social Services and Community Select Committee Chairperson Joseph Mooney and the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Taiwan Cochair Ingrid Leary led the group that is visiting Taiwan from April 13 to 18.
In her address, Tsai underscored the importance of cooperation among democratic countries in the Indo-Pacific region. Tsai thanked New Zealand for recognizing the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait in the "Australia-New Zealand Foreign and Defense Ministers' Meeting".
Highlighting the increasingly close economic ties between Taiwan and New Zealand, Tsai mentioned the popularity of New Zealand cherries, kiwi fruit, and dairy products in Taiwan. She said New Zealand's recent opening of its market to Taiwanese pineapples is a big step for bilateral cooperation. President Tsai said she also looks forward to furthering exchanges in the fields of digital economy, indigenous culture, and clean energy.
In response, Mooney pointed to New Zealand's expertise in geothermal energy technology, offering potential collaboration in clean energy. He also reiterated the shared commitment of two nations to peace and prosperity.