Ma commits to regional crime-fighting collaboration

2015/10/21

ROC President Ma Ying-jeou said Oct. 19 that Taiwan is committed to promoting regional security and stability, and will ramp up collaboration on cross-border crime fighting and prevention.

“Since I took office in May 2008, Taiwan has made significant headway in combating crime, with steady improvement achieved across all indicators,” Ma said during an opening address at Taiwan International Symposium on Regional Security and Transnational Crime in Taipei City.

“Monetary losses caused by fraud, for instance, plunged 82 percent from a record high of NT$18.6 billion [US$573.7 million] in 2006 to NT$3.3 billion last year. This is possible through regional collaboration like the Cross-Strait Joint Crime-Fighting and Judicial Mutual Assistance Agreement of 2009.”

According to the president, economic globalization and regional integration are leading development trends worldwide, bringing opportunities as well as challenges. “One of the most pressing issues is rising tension over sovereignty disputes, which has cast a shadow on peace and prosperity in the East and South China Seas,” he said.

Drawing on Taiwan’s success in advancing cross-strait ties and mutual trust, Ma said his government has found a pragmatic and feasible approach to promoting resources sharing and resolving disputes.

“Via the East and South China Sea Peace Initiatives I proposed in 2012 and 2015, respectively, Taiwan has taken the lead in urging all parties to refrain from antagonistic actions; not abandon dialogue; observe international law; resolve disputes through peaceful means; and form a mechanism for exploring and developing resources on a cooperative basis.”

These efforts have paid handsome dividends for Taiwan, the president added, citing the inking of a landmark fisheries agreement with Japan in 2013 and reaching consensus on maritime law enforcement procedures with the Philippines the following year.

“We have proven that differences can be resolved through cooperation and mutual respect, as well as engaging in dialogue instead of confrontation,” Ma said. “I look forward to enhanced collaboration with our regional partners across a wide spectrum of areas beyond fighting crime.”

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=238035&ctNode=2194&mp=9)