TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) spoke at the welcome dinner for the 40th Asian Bankers Association (ABA) general meeting and conference in Taipei on Monday (Nov. 18).

More than 250 representatives from Asian central banks, financial firms, and business enterprises attended the event. The ABA was founded in 1981 and has become a platform for Asian bankers to network, share information, and advocate for bankers' interests both nationally and internationally, per UDN.

Hsiao began her remarks by thanking Taiwan's financial industry for cooperating with the government to prevent fraud. Hsiao said a strong partnership with financial organizations to fight fraud protects citizens' rights.

Hsiao spoke on behalf of President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) and welcomed the attendees. She hoped participants would be inspired to develop innovative and diverse financial products.

Hsiao thanked the late Jeffrey Koo, Sr. (辜濓松), founder of CTBC Financial Holdings, who played an important role in establishing the ABA. Hsiao said it was a great honor to host the event in Taiwan and thanked global financial leaders for coming to the country and establishing active business and trade relationships with domestic firms.

Later, CTBC Financial Holdings Chair Jeffrey Koo, Jr. (辜仲諒) took the stage and said the event represented a major milestone for Asia's banking industry. Koo expressed pride in CTBC’s outstanding performance as the largest private bank in Taiwan and its commitment to sustainability and ESG.

Koo added that CTBC also supports professional baseball, in particular, the CTBC Brothers team. Koo is also currently the president of the Baseball Association of Asia and the World Baseball and Softball Confederation.

Koo later presented a CTBC Brothers jersey to Hsiao. Koo said he hoped baseball would also be viewed as part of Taiwan's unique culture, as he hoped the world could appreciate the passion of Taiwanese toward baseball.