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President Ma reaffirms Taiwan’s foreign policies

President Ma Ying-jeou meets and greets Taiwan's diplomatic corps Aug. 16 at the Presidential Office. (CNA)

• Publication Date：08/17/2011
• Source： Taiwan Today
• By  Meg Chang

ROC President Ma Ying-jeou said Taiwan should continue developing relations with the international community by providing humanitarian aid, promoting cultural exchanges and generating business opportunities.

“Taiwan has experienced hardship in terms of foreign affairs over the past century,” Ma said Aug. 16. “Thanks to our diplomatic corps, progressive policymaking and improved national competitiveness, we have begun to have a positive influence on the world.”

The president made the remarks during a meeting with ROC ambassadors and Taiwan overseas representatives. Organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the session brought officials up to speed on domestic developments affecting their diplomatic missions.

In praising the MOFA officials for their efforts, Ma also urged them to continue bolstering Taiwan’s national image, heightening measures to assist expatriates in times of natural disaster and providing better consular services to ROC nationals traveling abroad.

The president also took the opportunity to remind officials of the need to perform their duties within the framework of his viable diplomacy approach.

Ma said to overcome the impasse dogging Taiwan’s foreign relations, he implemented viable diplomacy after taking office in May 2008. “Taiwan and mainland China needed to stop undercutting each other when it came to foreign relations.”

Instead, the two sides should engage in a friendly competition to their mutual benefit, Ma said, reaffirming that Taiwan will continue promoting cross-strait relations under the policy of no unification, no independence and no use of force—a stance supported by the majority of Taiwanese.

According to Ma, Taiwan also needs to shoulder a greater load when it comes to assisting developing countries. Citing Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development data, he said foreign aid should account for at least 0.7 percent of a member’s gross domestic product.

“In this regard, there is still room for improvement for Taiwan,” Ma added.

Write to Meg Chang at meg.chang@mail.gio.gov.tw