Hsieh Fa-dah, ROC representative to Switzerland, has been tapped to serve as Taiwan’s top official in Singapore, Foreign Minister Timothy Chin-tien Yang announced March 8.
“The appointment is welcomed by the Singapore government,” Yang said during a news conference at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Taipei City.
Hsieh, 62, takes over from Vanessa Yea-ping Shih, who returned to Taiwan last week on assignment. No date has been set for Hsieh to assume the post, Yang said, adding that it normally takes two to three months for arrangements to be finalized.
Following the announcement, Hsieh told local media outlets that Taiwan and Singapore enjoy a close relationship and he is looking forward to bringing the countries closer together.
Yang, who met with Singapore’s representative to Taiwan Calvin Mun Hoo Eu March 7, said both sides believe Hsieh will make significant progress in strengthening bilateral ties.
Praising Hsieh’s top-notch diplomatic and economic experience, Yang said his appointment comes with a clear mandate to conclude negotiations on the Agreement between Singapore and the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu on Economic Partnership (ASTEP).
Taiwan and Singapore began formal talks on the pact early last year. At the time, Hsieh participated in the negotiations as deputy minister of economic affairs.
ROC President Ma Ying-jeou views the ASTEP as an important step in Taiwan’s regional economic integration efforts. (JSM)
Write to Rachel Chan at rachelchan@mail.gio.gov.tw