Tien Chung-kwang: New Dutch MPs Continue to Support Taiwan; Bilateral Relations Deepen and Diversify [Interview]
In an interview, Taiwan's Representative to the Netherlands, Tien Chung-kwang, highlighted growing bilateral relations, expanding from semiconductor partnerships (TSMC-ASML) to water management and agriculture, backed by strong support from the new Dutch parliament.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 25, 2026 at 08:42
- 🔍 Collected: April 25, 2026 at 09:01 (18 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 25, 2026 at 09:05 (4 min after Collected)
Central News
(CNA Correspondent Wu Po-wei in The Hague, 24th) Taiwan's Representative to the Netherlands, Tien Chung-kwang, pointed out that the Netherlands understands Taiwan's value in the world, and new members of parliament have assured continued and strengthened support for Taiwan. Beyond cooperation in high-tech fields, there is significant development potential in water management, agriculture, and education.
Tien Chung-kwang, who just completed his first year in office, recently accepted an exclusive interview with CNA in The Hague, Netherlands.
Regarding the recent changes in Taiwan-Netherlands bilateral relations, Tien described it as a progressive development, with the Netherlands gradually understanding Taiwan's value in the global system. For example, in 2024, a Dutch naval ship transited the Taiwan Strait, illustrating once again that the Netherlands highly values freedom and openness of the seas. In recent years, bilateral cooperation in the high-tech sector has also been very close; the partnership between TSMC and ASML in the semiconductor field is a prime example.
Beyond technological cooperation, Tien explained that the Netherlands' "water management" technology is world-renowned. Today, many countries are troubled by water issues, with land gradually disappearing. Taiwan's diplomatic ally, Tuvalu, faces similar problems. How to utilize Dutch water management technology to solve these issues is a potential area for bilateral cooperation. Additionally, food security and youth academic exchanges are directions where both sides can collaborate.
The close economic and trade relations between the two sides are also reflected in the numbers. Tien stated that the bilateral trade volume reached nearly $17 billion USD in 2025, representing an annual growth of about 14%.
Besides multi-field cooperation, the Dutch parliament has continuously expressed its pro-Taiwan stance through various motions. Tien mentioned that last year, the Dutch parliament passed "four arrows plus one," totaling 5 pro-Taiwan motions. The contents covered supporting Taiwan's participation in international organizations, emphasizing Taiwan's security, and high-level mutual visits. This is unprecedented and signifies that both the Dutch government and civil society wish to convey their views on the free world through this manner.
The Netherlands held general elections last year, bringing many new lawmakers into parliament. Prime Minister Rob Jetten was sworn in this February, officially launching the new government.
Tien noted that there are many young MPs under the age of 40 who are not unfamiliar with Taiwan. During exchanges with them, they gladly accepted invitations to visit Taiwan and showed strong interest in joining the cross-national parliamentary platform, the Formosa Club.
He stated that these MPs also gave reassurances that they would continue the support for Taiwan shown by past Dutch governments and parliamentarians, and will further strengthen it.
Tien Chung-kwang pointed out that Taiwan-Netherlands relations are becoming closer and more diversified. Taiwan's role in the global system, whether in regional security or the fields of culture and arts, is an important channel that the Netherlands eagerly seeks to engage with. Both sides will continue to move forward in this direction in the future. (Editor: Tang Sheng-yang)
(CNA Correspondent Wu Po-wei in The Hague, 24th) Taiwan's Representative to the Netherlands, Tien Chung-kwang, pointed out that the Netherlands understands Taiwan's value in the world, and new members of parliament have assured continued and strengthened support for Taiwan. Beyond cooperation in high-tech fields, there is significant development potential in water management, agriculture, and education.
Tien Chung-kwang, who just completed his first year in office, recently accepted an exclusive interview with CNA in The Hague, Netherlands.
Regarding the recent changes in Taiwan-Netherlands bilateral relations, Tien described it as a progressive development, with the Netherlands gradually understanding Taiwan's value in the global system. For example, in 2024, a Dutch naval ship transited the Taiwan Strait, illustrating once again that the Netherlands highly values freedom and openness of the seas. In recent years, bilateral cooperation in the high-tech sector has also been very close; the partnership between TSMC and ASML in the semiconductor field is a prime example.
Beyond technological cooperation, Tien explained that the Netherlands' "water management" technology is world-renowned. Today, many countries are troubled by water issues, with land gradually disappearing. Taiwan's diplomatic ally, Tuvalu, faces similar problems. How to utilize Dutch water management technology to solve these issues is a potential area for bilateral cooperation. Additionally, food security and youth academic exchanges are directions where both sides can collaborate.
The close economic and trade relations between the two sides are also reflected in the numbers. Tien stated that the bilateral trade volume reached nearly $17 billion USD in 2025, representing an annual growth of about 14%.
Besides multi-field cooperation, the Dutch parliament has continuously expressed its pro-Taiwan stance through various motions. Tien mentioned that last year, the Dutch parliament passed "four arrows plus one," totaling 5 pro-Taiwan motions. The contents covered supporting Taiwan's participation in international organizations, emphasizing Taiwan's security, and high-level mutual visits. This is unprecedented and signifies that both the Dutch government and civil society wish to convey their views on the free world through this manner.
The Netherlands held general elections last year, bringing many new lawmakers into parliament. Prime Minister Rob Jetten was sworn in this February, officially launching the new government.
Tien noted that there are many young MPs under the age of 40 who are not unfamiliar with Taiwan. During exchanges with them, they gladly accepted invitations to visit Taiwan and showed strong interest in joining the cross-national parliamentary platform, the Formosa Club.
He stated that these MPs also gave reassurances that they would continue the support for Taiwan shown by past Dutch governments and parliamentarians, and will further strengthen it.
Tien Chung-kwang pointed out that Taiwan-Netherlands relations are becoming closer and more diversified. Taiwan's role in the global system, whether in regional security or the fields of culture and arts, is an important channel that the Netherlands eagerly seeks to engage with. Both sides will continue to move forward in this direction in the future. (Editor: Tang Sheng-yang)