President Tsai Ing-wen said Sept. 22 that the government’s people-centered New Southbound Policy will help achieve abundant mutual benefits, win-win situations, stronger mutual trust and a sense of community between Taiwan and Southeast Asian nations.
“As vital members of the Asia-Pacific, we have a joint obligation to shape this region in ways that further peace, stability and the prosperity of our countries,” the president said during her opening address for the 18th Annual Conference on Southeast Asian Studies, a two-day event at National Chengchi University in Taipei City.
The government’s New Southbound Policy seeks to deepen ties with Association of Southeast Asian Nations member states and six South Asian countries as well as Australia and New Zealand across fields including agriculture, business, culture, education, new energy and technology.
A top priority of the policy is to bolster people-to-people exchanges and talent flows between Taiwan and Southeast Asia, the president stated.
According to Tsai, regional integration is moving forward, with Southeast Asia gaining considerable influence in global politics, economics and culture. “Taiwan must respond to these changes,” she added. “We are deeply connected to the countries in this region.”
Key measures in keeping with the policy’s people-centered agenda include simplifying visa application procedures for passport holders from certain ASEAN countries; sponsoring visits by second-generation immigrants in Taiwan to the homelands of their foreign-born parents; providing support to enable 12,000 young Taiwanese to volunteer, work or study in Southeast Asia; and offering more scholarships to young people from the region so as to increase the number of such foreign students by 20 percent per year to 60,000 in 2019.
Speaking at the event, Kin Moy, director of the American Institute in Taiwan, which represents U.S. interests in the country, said Taiwan plays an indispensable role in promoting democracy, economic prosperity, good governance and the rule of law in Asia. “The United States admires these contributions and continues to support further international space for Taiwan,” he stated.
In his address, former Foreign Minister of Thailand Kasit Piromya commended the government’s new initiative, praising Taiwan as a model for Southeast Asian countries owing to its successful experiences in promoting democracy and civil engagement. He urged Taiwan to continue sharing knowledge of its democratic model and institutions with ASEAN countries through increased educational exchanges.
According to government statistics, there were around 26,800 students and 590,000 migrant workers from Southeast Asia in Taiwan last year, with the number of new immigrants from the region topping 140,500. (SFC-E)
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