Morris Chang, founder of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company and President Tsai Ing-wen’s special envoy, departed Nov. 17 for the 2022 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Bangkok, Thailand.
During a pre-departure press conference at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, Chang said he and his wife were both excited to attend the first AELM to convene in person in four years.
Representing Taiwan for the sixth time at the region’s largest gathering of its kind, Chang said he will follow the instructions and fulfill the tasks given to him by the president to the best of his ability and use the opportunity to exchange views with other leaders at the event.
On the same day, Minister of National Development Council Kung Ming-hsin and Minister without Portfolio John C.C. Deng both attended the APEC Ministerial Meeting in Bangkok.
In his speech at the plenary session themed Balanced, Inclusive and Sustainable Growth, Kung said Taiwan has donated US$2.2 million this year alone to support APEC projects related to digital innovation, marine waste management and micro, small and medium enterprise promotion. Such projects help enhance digital capabilities for disadvantaged sectors of the workforce to promote inclusive recovery and balanced social development, he added.
According to Kung, despite global challenges such as disruption in energy and food supplies coupled with high inflation, Taiwan continues to maintain economic growth and its role as a reliable supply chain partner.
On combating climate change, Kung said that earlier this year the government proposed Taiwan’s Pathway to Net-Zero Emissions by 2050, adding that the country welcomes the Bangkok Goals on Bio-Circular-Green Economy and supports the APEC Putrajaya Vision 2040.
APEC was established in 1989 to achieve greater regional integration and prosperity through delivering balanced, inclusive, innovative, secure and sustainable growth. Since joining in 1991, Taiwan has made substantial contributions to initiatives and projects spanning such areas as disaster prevention, food security, ICT and women’s economic empowerment. (SFC-E)
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