International press freedom group Reporters Without Borders (RSF) held a news conference at the National Central Library at 11 a.m. today to announce the official opening of its Asia bureau in Taipei. Executive Yuan Spokesperson Hsu Kuo-yung was on hand to wish the group a successful press conference and welcome RSF secretary-general Christophe Deloire and emeritus board member and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Shirin Ebadi, both of whom had traveled to Taiwan for the event.
This past April 7, RSF announced its decision to locate its first Asia bureau in Taipei, a move that was significant for Taiwan as it coincided with the nation's first annual Freedom of Speech Day. President Tsai Ing-wen also welcomed the group to Taipei on her Twitter account that day. The arrival of a revered Nobel peace laureate in Taiwan this week further underscores RSF's affirmation for Taiwan's free democracy, Hsu said.
President Tsai received Ebadi along with the rest of the RSF delegation on Monday, Hsu said. In addition to expressing the government and people's commitment to defending the values of freedom of speech, the president welcomed and wished RSF success in setting up its first Asia bureau in Taiwan.