Vice President Lai Ching-te delivers remarks during the opening ceremony of the 2021 Bio Asia-Taiwan International Conference and Exhibition July 21 via prerecorded video shot at the Presidential Office in Taipei City. (Courtesy of Presidential Office)

Vice President Lai Ching-te said July 21 that Taiwan is committed to promoting the development of biomedical industries across Asia and playing a pivotal role in international health cooperation.

COVID-19 has taken its toll on countries around the globe, including Taiwan, Lai said. After grappling with the challenges of domestic transmission and an outbreak caused by the delta variant over the past couple of months, Taiwan is shifting its focus to lessons learned from the pandemic and identifying the strengths and weaknesses of its biotechnology industries as the government prepares for the future, he added.

The vice president made the remarks via prerecorded video at the virtual opening ceremony of the 2021 Bio Asia-Taiwan International Conference and Exhibition jointly organized by Taipei City-based Taiwan Bio Industry Organization and Washington-headquartered Biotechnology Innovation Organization.

Lai took the opportunity to praise Taiwan BIO Chairman Johnsee Lee and partners for their exemplary efforts in showcasing the country’s biotechnology industry on the international stage.

As the world prepares to enter the post-pandemic era, opportunities abound for partnerships between Taiwan and like-minded countries to reach new heights, the vice president said. The government looks forward to stepping up efforts to bolster international cooperation on global health security, he added. (DL-E)