President Tsai delivers opening address at Yushan Forum

2019/10/14

President Tsai Ing-wen said Oct. 8 that Taiwan is willing and able to work alongside like-minded partners to help develop and safeguard the Asia-Pacific.
 
 The president made the remarks while delivering the opening address at the two-day Yushan Forum in Taipei City organized by Taipei-based think tank Taiwan-Asia Exchange Foundation. Also known as the Asian Dialogue for Innovation and Progress, the event’s theme this year is “Deepening Progressive Partnerships in Asia.”
 
According to Tsai, the forum is a testament to the efforts of Taiwan’s government, private sector and civil society in promoting the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals, adding that the collective solutions explored at the event can help shape a brighter future for the Asia-Pacific.
 
 The president contrasted these positive actions with those of China, whose attempts to restrict Taiwan’s space have served to undermine regional prosperity and stability, she said.
 
 Tsai highlighted the New Southbound Policy as a shining example of Taiwan’s influence, helping target countries develop industries such as tourism, health care and agriculture. The initiative is also empowering the region’s best and brightest, with about 50,000 students from NSP nations currently studying in Taiwan, nearly double the number in 2015, she added.
 
 Now in its third year, the annual Yushan Forum was launched in 2017 to serve as a platform for Taiwan to establish diverse regional dialogues and advance regional prosperity and stability alongside NSP countries.
 
 Other speakers this year include Sandra Oudkirk, U.S. deputy assistant secretary of state for Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands; Stephen Harper, former prime minister of Canada; Jose Rene Gregory D. Almendra, former cabinet member in the Philippines; and Shivshankar Menon, chairman of the advisory board of the Institute of Chinese Studies in New Delhi.
 
 A key plank in Tsai’s national development strategy, the NSP seeks to deepen Taiwan’s agricultural, business, cultural, education, tourism and trade ties with the 10 Association of Southeast Asian Nations member states, six South Asian countries, Australia and New Zealand.

Source: Taiwan Today (https://taiwantoday.tw/index.php)