1st Taiwan-ASEAN Dialogue builds ties, creates opportunities

2016/11/16

The inaugural Taiwan-ASEAN Dialogue got underway Nov. 15 in Taipei City as part of government efforts to expand exchanges between the country and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, as well as further advance the New Southbound Policy.

Organized by Taipei-headquartered nonprofit think tank Prospect Foundation, Indonesian Council on World Affairs and The Habibie Center—both Jakarta-based—in conjunction with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the one-day seminar attracted academics, government officials and lawmakers from home and ASEAN member states, along with representatives of the Taiwan-stationed diplomatic corps.

President Tsai Ing-wen said at the opening of the event that ASEAN is Taiwan’s second biggest trade partner and export market, with the two sides enjoying impressive people-to-people exchanges.

According to Tsai, the government is developing comprehensive links with ASEAN member states and the regional market. The New Southbound Policy is at the vanguard of this undertaking, and will achieve three objectives: strengthen mutual understanding; steadily expand two-way exchanges; and forge strong and comprehensive partnerships, she said.

“The first objective is really about connecting people. That is the basis for lasting friendship,” the president said, adding that the government will work with think tanks to better understand each country and invest more in second-generation immigrants in Taiwan, as well as in education programs.

On the second objective, Tsai said the government will push for closer interactions between government departments and mutual visits by sending officials so as to build a new kind of partnership.

Concerning the third objective, Tsai said the government will assist local firms set strategies compatible with the New Southbound Policy and establish strong links with markets throughout the region. “We will work to sign economic cooperation agreements with major trade partners and to renew investment protection and tax treaties.”

Ministry of Foreign Affairs Minister David Tawei Lee also addressed the seminar, stating that Taiwan “stands firm and ready” to work with its New Southbound Policy partners. “The experiences and new ideas shared and developed during the dialogue will benefit all parties and enhance bilateral and multilateral collaboration.”

Participants will attend an official dinner reception hosted in the evening by Lee and will be received the next day by Vice President Chen Chien-jen at the Office of the President in Taipei.

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=249484&ctNode=2194&mp=9)