As you enter this exhibition, you may be asking yourself: “Why is Vincent Siew someone worth knowing?”
Vincent Siew grew up during a period defined by the waning years of Japanese colonial rule and precarious early years of Nationalist Chinese rule. During his early career, Vincent was posted to the country’s diplomatic mission in Kuala Lumpur where he worked in the interest of Taiwan-Malaysia relations. The Republic of China’s withdrawal from the United Nations in 1971 led to countries around the world ending formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan and to Vincent’s return home. Cognizant of the troubled waters ahead, he knew Taiwan would not be able to survive in isolation and hoped to use international trade to ensure a future for his country. Vincent’s subsequent work negotiating and mediating on the foreign trade frontlines paved the way for Taiwan’s vigorous reemergence into international affairs.
The spirit driving the life and career of Vincent Siew may be summarized as: “Always convey thoughts and intentions clearly in your communications and discussions.” However, what may seem to be a straightforward aphorism is by no means easy to implement in the face of complex social realities.
But Vincent Siew managed to live by this principle. He attributed this to his good upbringing in Chiayi, and regularly expressed his appreciation for the support his hometown gave as he stepped up to fight for Taiwan on the international stage. His story shows how, in the face of myriad difficulties, he and his team never pulled back, never despaired, and remained inveterately optimistic. Moreover, in victory, Vincent always remained restrained, considerate, and self-effacing. Taiwan did indeed manage to leverage international trade to extricate itself from its diplomatic troubles and, in the process, created a new model of international relations. We appreciate deeply Vincent Siew’s affections and hopes for Chiayi as well as his innumerable contributions to his hometown. This is the Vincent Siew we are now eager to share with the world!
This story begins from the start of the so-called "most delicate tariff negotiations" on December 15th, 1978.
