Ma reaffirms Taiwan’s role in global community

2015-01-12

President Ma Ying-jeou said Jan. 8 that Taiwan is a committed member of the international community and will continue stepping up its involvement in global initiatives.

“As a mature democracy, Taiwan acts as a peacemaker, provider of humanitarian aid, promoter of cultural exchanges, creator of new technologies and standard-bearer of Chinese culture,” Ma said.

“Through the East China Sea Peace Initiative I proposed in August 2012, the government has added new impetus to efforts promoting prosperity and stability in the Asia-Pacific and around the world. This is evidenced by the settlement of regional disputes with Japan and the Philippines, as well as the relief work currently underway in areas affected by the Islamic State group.”

The president made the remarks while receiving a delegation from Harvard University’s Fairbank Center for Chinese Studies at the Presidential Office in Taipei City.

According to Ma, the healthy state of Taiwan-U.S. relations is opening up opportunities for Taiwan to expand its international space. “Since I took office in May 2008, bilateral ties between the two countries have improved at a steady pace. This is illustrated by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Gina McCarthy’s participation in Taiwan’s International Environmental Partnership last April, the first official visit by a senior U.S. Cabinet member in 14 years,” he said.

U.S. arms sales to Taiwan also topped US$18.3 billion over the last six-plus years, the highest in two decades, Ma said, adding that this underscores a high level of rebuilt mutual trust. “The passage of the S. 1683 Naval Vessel Transfer Act at year-end 2014 is further testament to robust ties.”

Concerning cross-strait relations, Ma said the government is promoting exchanges under the principle of no unification, no independence and no use of force.

“This approach is imperative in building a framework for the sustainable and peaceful development of ties going forward,” he said. “We remain rock solid on this stance under the ROC Constitution and in line with the 1992 consensus.”

According to the president, cross-strait relations are proceeding in the interests of both sides. “Over the past six and a half years, Taipei and Beijing signed 21 agreements and reached two points of consensus, with the number of mainland Chinese students studying in Taiwan increased to over 26,000 from 823,” he said.

“These developments have paved the way toward peace and prosperity on both sides of the strait,” Ma said. “The government will strive to create favorable conditions for collaboration and exchanges in the region and beyond.”

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=226074&CtNode=413)