Ma reaffirms ROC's international peacemaker role

2015-05-14

ROC President Ma Ying-jeou said May 12 that the government is committed to deepening Taiwan’s exchanges and tie-ups with global partners to advance peace and prosperity.

“Taiwan plays an important role in maintaining stability in the Asia-Pacific, while making significant contributions to international initiatives such as the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change,” Ma said. “Although not party to the UNFCCC, or its related mechanisms, we are assisting global efforts in saving energy and reducing carbon emissions.”

Ma made the remarks while receiving Armando Bardales Paz, president of the Central American Parliament, at the Presidential Office in Taipei City.

The president thanked CAP for continuously supporting the ROC’s participation in a wide range of international organizations, including the UNFCCC. Taiwan has been an observer in the regional body since 1999 and the larger Central American Integration System since 2000.

According to Ma, strong ties between the ROC and its Central American diplomatic allies have contributed to advancing trade liberalization on a global scale. “This is testament to Taiwan’s resolve to promote free trade and economic integration,” he said.

“Since I took office in May 2008, Taiwan has chalked up significant headway in signing trade pacts. We concluded the Cross-Straits Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement [ECFA] in 2010, an investment protection pact with Japan in 2011, and ECAs with New Zealand and Singapore in 2013.

“The government is working to capitalize on this momentum by joining trade blocs such as Trans-Pacific Partnership and Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.”

Mutual understanding arising from enhanced collaboration has paved the way for real progress in advancing regional peace and prosperity across the Taiwan Strait and in the East China Sea, the president said.

“We have taken cross-strait ties to their highest level in 66 years through increased people-to-people exchanges, leading to win-win-win outcomes for Taiwan, mainland China and the international community.”

The nation has also improved relations with its neighbors throughout the region on the back of such undertakings as the East China Sea Peace Initiative, Ma said.

Proposed in August 2012 by the president, the initiative played a key role in resolving decadeslong fishing disputes with Japan and the Philippines. It has been widely praised by academics, political leaders and strategic analysts.

Going forward, the president said he will continue promoting the approach as dispute-resolution model in other parts of the world, including the South China Sea.

“While sovereignty cannot be compromised, resources can be shared,” he said. “We look forward to joining hands with our partners in the region and creating peace and prosperity for all.”

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=230366&ctNode=413)