President Tsai departs for visit to Panama, Paraguay

2016/06/27

President Tsai Ing-wen departed June 24 on a nine-day visit to Republic of China (Taiwan) diplomatic allies Panama and Paraguay, her first overseas trip since taking office in May.

“My mission during this visit is to increase Taiwan’s international visibility, boost the confidence of those working on the frontlines of ROC diplomacy and strengthen Taiwan’s trade and economic cooperation with the Latin American countries based on reciprocity and mutual support,” Tsai said.

“Practical diplomacy is the government’s new approach to foreign relations, and we will work diligently, pragmatically and steadfastly toward achieving our goals.”

According to the president, the trip underscores the willingness of the people of Taiwan to contribute to the international community, as well as her administration’s commitment to promoting foreign relations. “Although Taiwan’s international space is at times restricted, our will to link with the world has no limits,” she said.

Citing the examples of Taiwan using its homegrown orchid industry technology to help Panama restore its national flower and undertake large-scale cultivation of butterfly orchids, Tsai said the trip goes beyond a market survey.

“We hope to work with these Latin American nations in advancing existing technical cooperation projects and jointly entering the international market,” Tsai said, adding that Taiwan enterprises are ready and eager to tap the potential-laden Latin American market.

Tsai will attend the June 26 inauguration ceremony of the Panama Canal expansion project involving heads of state and dignitaries from more than 70 countries and territories. She will also meet with Panama President Juan Carlos Varela and tour the Colon Container Terminal of Taipei City-headquartered Evergreen Marine Corp. In Paraguay she will meet with President Horacio Cartes in the capital Asuncion and address the Paraguayan congress.

The president, who will stopover in Miami and Los Angeles on the outbound and inbound legs of her trip, respectively, is scheduled to arrive July 2 in Taiwan.

Tsai’s delegation comprises government officials, legislators and business representatives. Officials include Minister of Foreign Affairs David Tawei Lee, National Security Council Secretary-General Joseph Wu and Deputy Secretary-General to the President Liu Chien-sin. Executives from AsusTek Computer Inc., Evergreen Marine Corp., Everest Textile Co., Fwu Sow Grain Products Co., General Energy Solutions Inc., I-Mei Foods Co. and Sanyang Industry Co. are also part of the delegation.

The seven firms are involved in sectors in which the ROC carries out cooperative projects with Panama and Paraguay. It is expected they will assist Taiwan firms upgrade operations or explore new investment opportunities in the Latin American nations.

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=245798&ctNode=2194&mp=9)