Taiwan-U.S. digital technology cooperation took another step forward April 25 at the one-day Smart Technology Symposium in the northern city of Taoyuan, with both sides pledging to strengthen exchanges on smart city solutions as well as financial technologies and the Internet of Things.
The two sides announced the establishment of a group comprising public and private sector experts from Taiwan and the U.S. to facilitate in-depth discussions on bolstering cooperation in smart technology development. This body is set to present its findings at the third Digital Economy Forum in Taipei City later this year.
Launched in 2015 by the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the U.S. and the American Institute in Taiwan, the DEF serves as a bilateral framework for promoting sustainable and inclusive growth through the application of emerging information and communication technology solutions.
The new group is expected to further strengthen consensus on measures to foster expansion of the digital economy under the DEF. To date, Taiwan and the U.S. have affirmed their support for wide-ranging initiatives, including pursuing high standards for digital trade and privacy as well as seeking opportunities to promote closer cooperation between their venture capital firms, startup clusters and innovators.
Both sides have also agreed to implement a joint program to expand internet connectivity and bridge the digital divide under the Taiwan-U.S. Global Cooperation and Training Framework, a platform established in June 2015 for deepening two-way collaboration on regional and international issues.
Jointly organized by the Cabinet-level National Development Council and the AIT, the Smart Technology Symposium gathered around 260 officials and industry representatives from both sides, such as NDC Deputy Minister Kung Ming-hsin, Taoyuan City Mayor Cheng Wen-tsan and Bankers Association of the Republic of China (Taiwan) Chairman Lyu Jye-cherng.
U.S. officials in attendance included AIT Director Kin Moy; Holly Vineyard, deputy assistant secretary for global markets under the U.S. Department of Commerce; and Sokwoo Rhee, associate director of the Cyber-Physical Systems Program at the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology.
Describing Taiwan as a smart technology leader in the region, Kung said that the government is currently focusing on sectors such as health care and transportation as part of the Asian Silicon Valley initiative. These efforts will showcase the nation’s ability to develop integrated solutions and facilitate expansion of the digital economy, he added.
The Asian Silicon Valley, which encompasses the Internet of Things and other emerging and smart technologies, is a central plank in the government’s five-plus-two innovative industries initiative. This comprehensive economic restructuring program also targets biotech and pharmaceuticals, green energy, national defense and smart machinery, as well as the promotion of two core concepts: the circular economy and a new paradigm for agricultural development.
According to the NDC, Taiwan will send a delegation to Washington in August for the Global City Teams Challenge Expo 2017 to showcase the nation’s smart city projects and highlight related business opportunities. (KWS-E)
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