The ROC government’s viable diplomacy is contributing to peace, prosperity and stability in East Asia, as well as securing greater participation for the country in the international arena, according to the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission (USCC).
In its 2013 Report to Congress released Nov. 20, the Washington-based organization highlighted the achievements of government’s foreign policy for the year and current state of cross-strait relations.
“Taiwan used creative diplomacy to secure participation in a key international organization and to sign two free trade agreements,” the report said.
Some of the breakthroughs include an invitation from the president of the International Civil Aviation Organization to attend ICAO’s 2013 assembly in Montreal as guest, as well as a trade pact signed in July with New Zealand.
Earlier this month, Taiwan finalized a similar deal with Singapore. It is also participating in negotiations with 22 other World Trade Organization members, including the U.S., on a multilateral Trade in Services Agreement.
The report said according to the ROC Ministry of Economic Affairs, “Taiwan’s efforts to expand its trade ties with the Asia-Pacific region are part of President Ma Ying-jeou’s larger push to diversify Taiwan’s economic partners … and will help promote the country’s inclusion in Asia’s broader economic integration."
These undertakings include participation in multilateral trade pacts such as the Trans-Pacific Partnership and Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, it added.
Citing Ma, the USCC said the Taiwan-Japan fisheries agreement “demonstrates Taiwan’s constructive role in reducing tension in the East China Sea without compromising Taiwan’s maritime claims and could be used as a blueprint and impetus for a similar agreement between Taiwan and other countries with claims in the South China Sea.”
The USCC also commended warming Taipei-Beijing relations, stating that the positive developments benefit the U.S. by reducing the likelihood of a conflict with mainland China over Taiwan, and allowing American policymakers to focus their time and attention on other priorities in the U.S.-mainland China and U.S.-Taiwan relationships. (SFC-JSM)
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