Ma praises ROC-US-Japan relations

2015/08/26

President Ma Ying-jeou said Aug. 25 that Taiwan is committed to bolstering exchanges with the U.S. and Japan while fulfilling its obligations as a responsible member of the international community.

“When I took office in May 2008, I set out to build freedom and prosperity in Taiwan, peace across the strait and friendly relations worldwide,” Ma said. “This was achieved through the dignified, autonomous and flexible approach of viable diplomacy.

“Over the past seven years, we have fostered a virtuous cycle in cross-strait and foreign interactions. This has created a peace dividend with global benefits, leading to a win-win situation for the ROC and the international community.”

The president made the remarks during his opening address at the ROC-U.S.-Japan Trilateral Security Dialogue in Taipei City.

Established in 2011, the annual forum enhances trilateral ties among Taiwan, the U.S. and Japan through cooperation and dialogue. It is organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in conjunction with Taipei-based Chinese Council of Advanced Policy Studies, Washington-headquartered The Heritage Foundation and Japan Institute of International Affairs in Tokyo.

According to Ma, Taipei’s respective exchanges with Washington and Tokyo are at their highest levels in many years. “The ROC, U.S. and Japan enjoy special relations and are connected through such shared values as democracy, freedom, human rights and rule of law,” he said, adding that this healthy state of affairs is underscored by close cooperation across a wide spectrum of areas.

“Taiwan was recently described as a vital security and economic partner of the U.S. in Asia by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry,” the president said. “This is illustrated by enhanced defense exchanges and Taiwan’s rise to the 10th-largest U.S. trading partner in 2014.”

Similar results were achieved with Japan as well, Ma said, highlighting increased interaction across the areas of culture, economy, tourism and youth, as well as the signing of several agreements and cooperation pacts spanning investment protection, patent approval and open skies.

Regarding regional stability, the president lauded a fisheries agreement concluded with Japan in 2013. “Implemented in line with the East China Sea Peace Initiative I proposed in August 2012, this pact outlines a viable path for all parties in this region to develop resources on a cooperative basis, shelving territorial disputes without undermining sovereignty.”

Ma envisages this approach improving Taiwan’s relations with its neighbors and promoting mutual trust. It will also help maintain peace and prosperity across the strait.

“Taiwan’s peacemaking role has won worldwide recognition in recent years through its dedication to humanitarian aid and disaster relief. We aim to make further advances going forward while enhancing participation in regional integration initiatives like Trans-Pacific Partnership.

“There is every reason to believe this development will help maintain stability in the Asia-Pacific and benefit all regional partners.”

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=234198&ctNode=413)