A dedicated website was recently launched by the Ministry of Culture to promote exchanges with countries targeted under Taiwan’s New Southbound Policy while enhancing public awareness of the government initiative.
Available in Chinese and English, the site serves as a portal to related government agencies and news releases. It also provides a systematic presentation of various government projects aimed at enhancing cultural interchange with partner countries under the policy.
Programs highlighted on the website include Youth Cultural Gardeners, Grants for Cultural Exchanges and Collaborative Projects, and New Southbound Overseas Exchange Special Topics Projects, among others.
According to the MOC, since the establishment of its Southeast Asia Advisory Committee in 2015, the ministry has been inviting professionals from NSP countries to discuss ways of expanding cross-border cooperation. Following the temporary pause in such visits during the COVID-19 pandemic, the annual meeting will take place in physical form again this year, the MOC said, adding that the public is welcome to take part in events.
Launched by President Tsai Ing-wen in 2016 as part of her national development strategy, the NSP seeks to deepen Taiwan’s agricultural, business, cultural, education, tourism and trade ties with the 10 Association of Southeast Asian Nations member states, six South Asian countries, Australia and New Zealand.
Latest statistics from the Ministry of Economic Affairs show that trade with NSP countries soared from slightly over US$100 billion in 2017 to US$180.3 billion in 2022, while exports to the region totaled US$96.9 billion last year, the highest on record and up 17 percent year on year. (SFC-E)
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