President Tsai Ing-wen chose Soong based on his strong academic background and wide-ranging political and diplomatic experience, spokesman Alex Huang said Oct. 5. Soong’s extensive knowledge will enable him to successfully bolster awareness of Taiwan’s development, increase its influence in the forum and strengthen interactions with other member economies, he added.
A prominent public figure in Taiwan for decades, Soong earned a Ph.D. in political science at Georgetown University in 1974 and has held a number of senior government posts, including personal secretary to the president, director-general of the Government Information Office and government spokesman. He also served as Taiwan provincial governor from 1994 to 1998.
Soong said at a news conference Oct. 6 in Taipei City that he will adopt a vigilant and determined approach, describing his role of envoy as “a mission rather than an assignment.” He will work to ensure “Taiwan’s voice is heard and its contributions recognized” at the meeting, he added.
According to the Office of the President, Taiwan strongly endorses host economy Peru’s selection of “Quality Growth and Human Development” as the theme of APEC 2016, and supports its four priority agendas: advancing regional economic integration and quality growth; enhancing the regional food market; toward the modernization of micro, small and medium enterprises in the Asia-Pacific; and developing human capital.
Since becoming a full member of APEC in 1991, Taiwan has made substantial contributions to numerous initiatives and projects spanning such areas as disaster prevention, food security, information and communications technology, and women and the economy. It donated US$500,000 to the APEC Support Fund in August this year to help facilitate technical cooperation and promote regional economic integration.
Taiwan will continue to actively participate in APEC with the goals of deepening cooperation and exchanges with other member economies and advancing the island’s position as a contributor, innovator and service provider in regional economic and trade development, the Office of the President said. (KH-E)
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