MAC Press Release No. 040
The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) held the 2023 Republic of China National Day Banquet this evening (October 9, 2023). The event opened with a magnificent percussion performance by the Chio-tian Folk Drums and Arts Troupe. More than 250 guests joined the festivities, including the heads of Taiwanese associations and Taiwanese business associations in Hong Kong and Macao; Hong Kong and Macao students studying in Taiwan; members of Hong Kong and Macao civil institutions and organizations in Taiwan, and prominent figures from various sectors.
MAC Minister Chiu Tai-san addressed at the celebration that, since the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, the government has been actively promoting healthy and orderly exchanges, and people-to-people interactions have been warming up to pre-pandemic level. According to statistics from the Tourism Administration of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, there have been more than 800,000 arrivals from Hong Kong and Macao to Taiwan between January and September this year, ranking the two cities first among all sources of inbound visitors. Over the past five years, nearly 50,000 Hong Kong and Macao people have been granted residency in Taiwan, of which more than 8,600 have gained permanent residency. In the 2022 academic year, as many as 11,189 Hong Kong and Macao students have been studying for bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in Taiwan.
Minister Chiu stated that the "air of freedom" and democratic values are the key factors that make Taiwan the choice of destination for many Hong Kong and Macao residents to embark on a new life. The MAC will continue to help friends from Hong Kong and Macao to live and work in peace and contentment in Taiwan through diverse approaches including exchanges, interactions, and experience sharing.
Hong Kong and Macao Taiwanese Association President Weng Yu-hsiung and Taiwan Chamber Commerce Macao President Chien Ting-tsai presented speeches on behalf of the guests. All participating guests enjoyed the festive vibe and the event wrapped up with great success.