Closing words by Mayor Jan van Zanen at the Cultural Evening organised by the Taipei Representative Office, 6 October 2021

Dear all,

What a pleasure and a privilege it is to be able to say a few words to you.

Here in this splendid building of Sociëteit De Witte.

At this Cultural Evening, organised by the Taipei Representative Office together with the Asian Table at Sociëteit De Witte.

It is always good to be among friends.

And where better to hold such a meeting than here in The Hague?

Because leading away from this city there are connections spanning the entire globe.

Be they in international cooperation in the field of peace and justice, trade relations or cultural matters.

The Hague is at home in the world and, by the same token, the world is at home in The Hague.

Cosmopolitanism is a feature of our city.

The Taiwanese community has for a long time been part of that.

And events such as this evening’s not only illustrate how great the cultural diversity of The Hague is.

But are also an expression of the cultural exchange between Taiwan and the Netherlands.

I have been fortunate enough to visit Taiwan three times, in 2010, 2013 and 2017.

Each time I was moved by the hospitality I enjoyed there.

And every time I was impressed by what Taiwan has managed to achieve, both economically and culturally.

Earlier this year I had the pleasure of meeting Representative Hsin Chen.

I discussed current affairs, such as the pandemic, with her and her advisors, as well as cultural and economic cooperation between Taipei and The Hague and the surrounding regions.

Cooperation which I hope will continue to be fruitful in the future.

For now, I wish you all the very best.

And hopefully, till the next time we meet in our beautiful city of The Hague.

Thank you.