President Lai Ching-te said that Taiwan is committed to deepening cooperation with Japan across the board and working with like-minded partners to defend the values of freedom and democracy.
Lai made the remarks at a meeting Aug. 13 at the Presidential Office in Taipei City with a cross-party delegation from Japan’s National Diet. The group, focused on security issues, is jointly led by former defense minister Shigeru Ishiba and former foreign minister Seiji Maehara, and includes other members of the House of Representatives who have either held top government positions related to defense or served in the prime minister’s office.
The president first expressed concern and condolences over the 7.1-magnitude earthquake that struck Miyazaki Prefecture earlier this month. He then spoke on the four pillars of peace action plan, emphasizing Taiwan’s commitment to safeguard regional peace and stability.
The country is dedicated to strengthening national defense and improving economic resilience by deepening trade bonds with partners like Japan, Lai said, citing the ongoing second phase of negotiations on the Taiwan-U.S. Initiative on 21st Century Trade and the signing of the Enhanced Trade Partnership Arrangement with the U.K. as examples. He also expressed the wish that Japan’s support for Taiwan’s bid to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership continue.
Taiwan will keep standing side by side with democracies to deter the authoritarian threat from China, Lai said, even as he stressed that the country is also willing to engage with Beijing under principles of mutual respect.
In his remarks, Ishiba praised Taiwan’s timely action and aid after earthquakes. He also stated that preventing East Asia from becoming the next Ukraine is the top priority for democracies in the region.
The meeting followed the delegation’s visit with Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim in Taipei the day before. Hsiao thanked the Japanese government for its support of cross-strait peace and stability at global events including bilateral and trilateral conferences with the U.S., in addition to Group of Seven summits. (YCH-E)
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