“Guided by the principle of national security, the peaceful development of cross-strait relations and economic exchanges has become an increasingly crucial factor in Taiwan’s push to expand its trade footprint abroad,” Shen said.
The deputy minister made the remarks at an international media event hosted by the Cabinet in Taipei City highlighting government policies pertaining to cross-strait trade and regional collaboration.
Other government representatives taking part included Council of Agriculture Deputy Minister Chen Wen-te, National Development Council Deputy Minister Kao Shien-quey and Cabinet spokesman Sun Lih-chyun.
According to Shen, mainland China is the top overseas investment destination for local enterprises and Taiwan’s largest trading partner and second largest source of trade surplus.
“We will continue efforts aimed at sustaining growth in this direction under President Ma Ying-jeou’s golden decade blueprint, which aims to build a robust economy and expand exchanges with mainland China through a global deployment strategy,” he said.
Echoing Shen’s remarks, Kao said the government is adopting a two-pronged strategy in promoting foreign trade. “We are seeking to ink multilateral trade pacts with different countries and regions while at the same time liberalize and normalize cross-strait trade.
“Working with mainland China has increased Taiwan’s chances of participation in regional economic integration,” Kao added, citing economic cooperation agreements concluded with New Zealand and Singapore in 2013.
Kao also expects improving ties between Taipei and Beijing to help smooth Taiwan’s accession to regional trade blocs such as the Trans-Pacific Partnership and Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, further strengthening the competitiveness of the country in the global market.
Alexander Huang, a strategic studies professor at Tamkang University also participating in the event, said Taiwan and mainland China can create a win-win partnership by deepening economic collaboration.
“Taiwan boasts the advantages of business innovation and flexibility, while mainland China offers tremendous market opportunities,” he said. “By sharing our experiences in economic development and stepping up trade interaction, both sides will benefit from closer ties going forward.”
(YHC-JSM)
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