Taiwan, this gem of an island located in East Asia, enjoys a unique geographical nexus. Its long and diverse history has been deeply influenced by various ruling powers including the Dutch, Spanish, Qing dynasty, and Japan, each shaping Taiwan’s culture and social structure. This historical backdrop indirectly contributes to Taiwan’s significant international influence today, as well as the resilience and tenacity characteristic of the Taiwanese people. Following World War II, the Republic of China government’s relocation to Taiwan marked the beginning of its journey towards modernization, quickly rising to become one of Asia’s Four Little Dragons, demonstrating remarkable economic and technological growth.
Amidst this historical context, Taiwanese entrepreneurs have displayed unparalleled business acumen and a strong will to survive. They have crossed national borders to seek and create opportunities worldwide, leaving their mark not only in Asia but also in Europe, America, Africa, and Oceania, showcasing their adaptability and global vision. Taiwanese businesspeople explore unique niches in various markets, from traditional industries and new technological fields to green energy and diverse cultural and creative industries. The international business networks established by Taiwanese globally also showcase their endless vitality to the world.
As Taiwan’s international influence continues to grow, the diversity of Taiwanese businesses abroad also increases. To integrate their resources and create a diverse impact, the “World Taiwanese Chambers of Commerce (WTCC)” was founded in 1994, becoming a symbolic international business organization.
“The establishment of WTCC is also to enable Taiwanese businesspeople from all countries to interact more and support each other more. We all know that despite the hard work of overseas Taiwanese in every field, due to various cultural and geographical differences, some still face challenges alone, lacking sufficient support and resource integration. Hence, our unchanging goal is to unite the strength of Taiwanese globally, to promote business integration and resource sharing, to enhance our competitiveness on the international stage, and to amplify Taiwan’s voice in the world,” said Lee Tianqi, the 30th President of WTCC.
The 2024 annual general meeting of the World Taiwanese Chambers of Commerce was held from April 7 in Hanoi, Vietnam, attended by over a thousand guests. The current President of WTCC, Lee Tianqi, shared his insights into the global business landscape and his personal story during an interview with The Icons international celebrity magazine.
Taiwan, this gem of an island located in East Asia, enjoys a unique geographical nexus. Its long and diverse history has been deeply influenced by various ruling powers including the Dutch, Spanish, Qing dynasty, and Japan, each shaping Taiwan’s culture and social structure. This historical backdrop indirectly contributes to Taiwan’s significant international influence today, as well as the resilience and tenacity characteristic of the Taiwanese people. Following World War II, the Republic of China government’s relocation to Taiwan marked the beginning of its journey towards modernization, quickly rising to become one of Asia’s Four Little Dragons, demonstrating remarkable economic and technological growth.
Amidst this historical context, Taiwanese entrepreneurs have displayed unparalleled business acumen and a strong will to survive. They have crossed national borders to seek and create opportunities worldwide, leaving their mark not only in Asia but also in Europe, America, Africa, and Oceania, showcasing their adaptability and global vision. Taiwanese businesspeople explore unique niches in various markets, from traditional industries and new technological fields to green energy and diverse cultural and creative industries. The international business networks established by Taiwanese globally also showcase their endless vitality to the world.
As Taiwan’s international influence continues to grow, the diversity of Taiwanese businesses abroad also increases. To integrate their resources and create a diverse impact, the “World Taiwanese Chambers of Commerce (WTCC)” was founded in 1994, becoming a symbolic international business organization.
“The establishment of WTCC is also to enable Taiwanese businesspeople from all countries to interact more and support each other more. We all know that despite the hard work of overseas Taiwanese in every field, due to various cultural and geographical differences, some still face challenges alone, lacking sufficient support and resource integration. Hence, our unchanging goal is to unite the strength of Taiwanese globally, to promote business integration and resource sharing, to enhance our competitiveness on the international stage, and to amplify Taiwan’s voice in the world,” said Lee Tianqi, the 30th President of WTCC.
The 2024 annual general meeting of the World Taiwanese Chambers of Commerce was held from April 7 in Hanoi, Vietnam, attended by over a thousand guests. The current President of WTCC, Lee Tianqi, shared his insights into the global business landscape and his personal story during an interview with The Icons international celebrity magazine.
Pioneers from the Overseas Community! Sustainable Influence Radiating from Vietnam to the World
As a distinguished leader among Taiwanese entrepreneurs, affectionately called “Brother Qi” by the overseas Chinese community, Chairman Lee Tianqi’s success story in Vietnam is particularly notable. In the 1990s, as Vietnam began its economic reforms, he was among the first Taiwanese businessmen to invest there. Over the past three decades, the development of Taiwanese businesses in Southeast Asia has flourished, with many benefiting from Chairman Lee’s support and assistance.
Going back to the early 1990s, as Vietnam opened its market, he keenly identified opportunities and was one of the first to venture into Vietnam. “Initially, I went to Vietnam to find raw materials for furniture production, such as cypress wood, but in line with local government policies, I also set up basic processing plants to provide jobs beyond forestry,” he said. Gradually, he made his mark by investing in the furniture manufacturing industry, eventually building his own timber empire.
From his first enterprise in Vietnam, the MC Yang Timber Corporation, the group he founded not only created numerous job opportunities in Vietnam, boosting the local economy, but also gave many Taiwanese craftsmen a chance to thrive again as the manufacturing industry at home was declining.
“I later decided to invest in furniture manufacturing not only because of the local resource advantages but also to create jobs that would stimulate the local economy while allowing Taiwanese businessmen to exert greater influence in Southeast Asia,” Chairman Lee’s strategic vision was clearly evident in the Vietnamese market. He accurately captured the local market demands and resource allocation, starting with the furniture industry and gradually expanding into other sectors.
Initially, he targeted markets mainly in Japan and Europe, developing a model based on small, diverse batches. However, in 2004, he refocused and aimed at the American market, transitioning to specialize in manufacturing baby cribs for export to the US. Currently, nearly 80% of orders come from the US market. It’s noteworthy that Chairman Lee Tianqi also emphasizes “sustainability”:
“Firstly, I not only focus on the quality and design of our products but also place great importance on using environmentally friendly materials, including during the production process. Our products not only contribute to the planet’s health during their manufacture but also ensure that people sleep healthily. Moreover, our baby cribs have a unique feature compared to other brands – they come with three-in-one or four-in-one designs that can be reassembled like Transformers, adapting to three or four different uses. This makes them versatile and safe, allowing a child to use the same bed from infancy until graduation from college at eighteen.”
Chairman Lee is not only a symbol of commercial success; he also actively participates in social and cultural activities. For instance, he and his partners jointly funded the construction of the “Craftsman Temple”, which serves not only as a cultural hub for the Taiwanese diaspora in the area but also as a symbol of identity and cohesion among Taiwanese businesspeople.
“Many people don’t know that those of us in the furniture and carpentry industries worship Lu Ban, the ancient master carpenter and patron saint of carpenters, as our spiritual guide. By gathering here, we not only pay homage to our ancestors but also inspire each other to cultivate our crafts deeply and let our professional skills flourish, showing the world the resilience, tenacity, and influence of Taiwanese people.” Today, the Craftsman Temple is not just the spiritual center for local Taiwanese businesspeople in Vietnam but also a historical testament to their long-term commitment and dedication. It has become a pilgrimage site for Taiwanese businesspeople from around the world visiting Vietnam.
Lee Tianqi: Empathy and Inclusiveness Pave the Way for Taiwanese Business Success
Under the arrangement of Chairman Lee Tianqi, this year’s annual meeting of the World Taiwanese Chambers of Commerce was held in Hanoi, Vietnam, attended by over a thousand Taiwanese businessmen and guests from around the world. The event lasted a week and concluded successfully. During his speech, Chairman Lee emotionally noted that Vietnam and Taiwan have each undergone three significant 30-year periods: 30 years of Taiwanese investment in Vietnam, 30 annual sessions of the World Conference, and 30 years since the establishment of mutual offices, making this conference in the Vietnamese capital particularly meaningful and thoughtful.
“Since 1987, when Vietnam began its economic reforms, it was a major turning point. Before that, due to long-standing isolationist policies, there were virtually no private enterprises in Vietnam, and economic activities lacked diversity,” Chairman Lee recalled.
He remembered that the Vietnamese authorities were concerned that the new economic model might bring uncertain risks, especially since they had already endured prolonged wars and economic hardships. However, these reforms were ultimately key to driving Vietnam towards modernization and internationalization.
“For a country that had been closed off for a long time, this was undoubtedly a new challenge. There were many difficulties and challenges in the process, but it also harbored infinite possibilities and opportunities. Today, Vietnam is at a new stage of development, looking forward to more Taiwanese businessmen seizing business opportunities, especially as cooperation in education, human resources, healthcare, and high-tech industries between Taiwan and Vietnam continues to grow. Everyone should look out for more cooperative opportunities to create multiple wins.”
In his speech, Chairman Lee reviewed the broader context of Vietnam’s economic reform and opening-up in 1987, narrating people’s doubts and hopes about the new economic policies and how Taiwanese businessmen, upon arriving in Vietnam, worked hand in hand with locals to support industry growth. He used his own company, MC Yang Timber Corporation, as an example of how underutilized local resources were transformed into high-quality furniture, not only adding value to the products but also creating jobs for local residents and many Taiwanese, thus promoting multilateral economic development.
Chairman Lee also mentioned that Taiwan and many Southeast Asian countries, including Vietnam, share linguistic and cultural similarities, which provide a solid foundation for Taiwanese businessmen’s local development. “This cultural and linguistic affinity allows us to deeply understand the distinct market needs of each locale and to provide effective solutions. In my heart, Taiwanese are not only intelligent and ambitious but also relatively more empathetic and inclusive, which is undoubtedly a key factor in the success of Taiwanese businessmen globally.”
Earthquake Disaster: World Taiwanese Chambers of Commerce Swiftly Raises Ten Million for Hualien Reconstruction
During an interview, Chairman Lee Tianqi also mentioned that Taiwanese businesspeople have a duty to mobilize resources and assist in the social recovery during disaster situations. For instance, National Dong Hwa University in Taiwan was severely affected by a strong earthquake on April 3, with significant damage to educational facilities, student dormitories, and office spaces. Upon learning this, the World Taiwanese Chambers of Commerce (WTCC) immediately contacted the Overseas Community Affairs Council and launched a fundraising campaign among its members for earthquake relief, successfully raising NT$10 million, all of which was donated to Dong Hwa University for the reconstruction of school buildings.
Chairman Lee Tianqi also led Supervisor Liu Wentang, Secretary-General Xie Minghui, and others back to Taiwan to attend the donation ceremony at Dong Hwa University, where President Xu Huiming received the donation on behalf of the university. Deputy Chairman of the Overseas Community Affairs Council, Ruan Zhaoxiong, Director of the Deputy Chairman’s Office, Li Ziyan, and Commissioner of the Overseas Business Office, Huang Liting, were also present to witness the event.
The Hualien earthquake resulted in 18 fatalities, the collapse of two buildings, and extensive damage to many others. Falling rocks blocked many major transportation routes, trapping hundreds. The cost of reconstruction at National Dong Hwa University alone amounted to NT$2 billion. At the time, the WTCC was holding its 30th semi-annual joint meeting of supervisors in Hanoi, Vietnam. During the meeting, all members closely monitored the disaster situation in Taiwan via the internet and communications software. Chairman Lee Tianqi immediately initiated a fundraising effort after the meeting, with enthusiastic donations pouring in from Taiwanese businesspeople around the world, demonstrating the solidarity of the WTCC community.
“Special thanks to our brothers and sisters from six continents who generously donated! Each contribution will be a seed of hope, helping Dong Hwa University thrive once again and restoring order to society. Though we strive in different parts of the world, our hearts are always with our homeland!”
The Significance and Future Prospects of Cultural Integration and International Cooperation
At the conference, Chairman Lee Tianqi also profoundly pointed out that adapting earnestly to local policies and cultures is an ongoing learning necessity for overseas Taiwanese businessmen: “Taiwanese businessmen have shown themselves to be both commercially astute and hardworking, with our influence now spanning the globe. Particularly, the opportunities brought about by globalization have propelled Taiwan from a small island to a key international hub at the center of the world stage. This not only reflects the growth of Taiwan’s national power but also highlights the contributions of Taiwanese businessmen to global economic development and our shared responsibility for global prosperity.”
The story of Chairman Lee Tianqi is a poignant example of Taiwanese entrepreneurship in global development. Leaders like him from the overseas Chinese community number in the thousands. Today, under the framework of the World Taiwanese Chambers of Commerce, continental associations have also been established in North America, Asia, Europe, Africa, Central and South America, and Oceania.
“Our general familiarity with Taiwan’s history may only span a few hundred years, but in my view, the story of Taiwanese businessmen, if we look to the future, is bound to continue being written for a very, very long time,” said Chairman Lee.
“In the future, we must engage more in cross-cultural understanding and cooperation. Taiwanese businessmen need to seriously integrate resources with each other, as well as skillfully utilize local resources. With the world in our hearts and Taiwan in our minds, possessing courage, vision, and empathy, we demonstrate our resilience and tenacity, as well as our goodwill to make friends with the entire world. By doing so, the story of Taiwanese businessmen will only become more fascinating and will continue for a long time to come.”
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