Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim met with a delegation from U.S. headquartered German Marshall Fund’s Taiwan-US-Europe Policy Program Feb. 20 in the Presidential Office in Taipei City.
Hsiao said that in the face of challenges, Taiwan and its transatlantic partners need to continue dialogue and cooperation so that both can maintain economic prosperity, social resilience and enhance common interests. She added that the two sides share values such as freedom and democracy and thus should work together to face challenges.
Hsiao noted that Taiwan has become an economy that contributes to global prosperity and plays a key role in the technology supply chain, however, work must continue to maintain this critical and irreplaceable leading position. She added that Taiwan attaches great importance to balanced growth in all walks of life and that use of artificial intelligence must benefit traditional industries and small and medium sized enterprises.
Over the past two years, the U.S. has become Taiwan’s largest overseas investment location with over 40 percent of overall foreign investment going to that destination, compared to 2010 when over 80 percent of foreign investment went to China. Hsiao said that adjustment and diversification in economics and trade ensures that Taiwan becomes a continuously prosperous and resilient society.
The vice president further noted that one of President Lai’s major policies is to institutionalize the concept of whole-of-society defense resilience. This issue has been discussed with many American partners over the years and in future will involve the private sector and other partners as, in the face of increasingly serious compound threats, it is critical to strengthen social resilience. (POC-E)
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