Taiwan must not be excluded from regional economic integration, according to Lien Chan, former ROC vice president and Taiwanese envoy to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Leader’s Meeting.
“Taiwan will keep strengthening economic relations with other APEC members to promote growth and prosperity throughout Asia-Pacific,” Lien said Nov. 14 at a news conference in Yokohama, Japan.
Citing the recently concluded Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement signed between Taipei and Beijing, Lien said the pact will help promote regionwide economic development and integration.
Echoing U.S. President Barack Obama’s remarks concerning the establishment of a Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific made during his APEC leaders’ summit keynote speech Nov. 13, Lien said Taiwan is in favor of such economic integration.
“Nearly 70 percent of Taiwan’s trade activities are conducted within the region, but the country still cannot sign free trade agreements with its major trading partners,” Lien said. “This is patently unfair given the number of regional trade pacts has skyrocketed from three to 58 in the past decade.”
Lien said given this situation, Taiwan supports any approach to reduce trade barriers and facilitate expanded cross-border economic exchanges. “We also urge APEC to promote broad-based regional participation in any resultant initiatives.”
Although Lien did not disclose whether he held discussions on FTAs with other APEC leaders during the two-day event, he said Taiwan will continue striving to conclude such trade pacts with its major trading partners.
The need for Taiwan’s inclusion in a multilateral trading system was also hammered home by Lien during his meeting with mainland Chinese ruler Hu Jintao.
“Taiwan and mainland China should grasp all opportunities to strengthen communication and build up good will stemming from cross-strait negotiations,” Lien said. “This principle applies in economic fields and other areas as well.” (JSM)
Write to Meg Chang at meg.chang@mail.gio.gov.tw