By Ko Shu-ling
STAFF REPORTER
President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) yesterday emphasized the importance of regional economic integration, calling the phenomenon a “mega trend,” adding that Taiwan must make efforts to prevent being marginalized in the process.
As ASEAN Plus One is scheduled to come into force on Jan. 1, Ma said China was likely to catch up with Japan to become the world’s second-largest economy “by the end of this year” (sic).
“Such a free-trade zone will become one of the world’s largest because of the population of the region and its economic scale, which is second to the EU and North America,” he said in his weekly video address made public yesterday.
“The ASEAN Plus One can create many opportunities for mainland China and an ASEAN countries,” he said.
ASEAN PLUS SIX
From the EU, North America and ASEAN Plus One to ASEAN Plus Two and ASEAN Plus Three, Ma said there could be ASEAN Plus Six in future.
“The regional economy is gradually moving toward the road of integration,” he said. “During the process of integration, Taiwan must avoid being marginalized.”
Ma said that during his stint as Taipei mayor, he was invited to speak at an Eastern Asia Summit in 2003.
The talk was titled “Why Not 10 Plus 4?” he said, adding that at that time he was asking why Taiwan could not become the fourth country to sign a free-trade agreement with ASEAN countries.
REGION
Ma said Taiwan must strengthen its connections with the region and seek business opportunities because it is the right way to go.
As his administration is seeking to sign an economic cooperation framework agreement (ECFA) with Beijing, Ma said Taiwan cannot afford to ignore the rise of China.
It is inevitable that Taiwan will develop a closer economic relationship with China while East Asia is seeking economic integration, he said.
“We are doing this not only with the mainland,” he said. “We hope to develop such a relationship with our major trading partners.”
BEGINNINGS
Taiwan began the process with Singapore more than 10 years ago, Ma said, adding that the negotiations did not go well because of China’s suppression and the former Democratic Progressive Party’s insistence on using the title “Taiwan.”
After Taiwan and China sign an ECFA, Ma said he hoped other countries and major trading partners would change their attitude.
Palauan President Surangel Whipps Jr arrived in Taiwan last night to kick off his first visit to the country since beginning his second term earlier this year. After arriving at Taoyuan International Airport at around 6:30 pm, Whipps and his delegation were welcomed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍). Speaking to gathered media, the Palauan leader said he was excited and honored to be back in Taiwan on his first state visit to Taiwan since he was sworn in this January. Among those traveling with Whipps is Minister of State Gustav N. Aitaro, Public Infrastructure
President William Lai (賴清德) yesterday thanked Palau for its continued support of Taiwan's international participation, as Taipei was once again excluded from the World Health Assembly (WHA) currently taking place in Switzerland. "Palau has never stopped voicing support for Taiwan" in the UN General Assembly, the WHO and other UN-affiliated agencies, Lai said during a bilateral meeting with visiting Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. "We have been profoundly touched by these endorsements," Lai said, praising the Pacific island nation's firm support as "courageous." Lai's remarks came as Taiwan was excluded for the ninth consecutive year from the WHA, which is being held in
RESOLUTIONS DEBATE: Taiwan’s allies said that UN and WHA resolutions cited by China and other nations ‘do not determine Taiwan’s participation in WHO activities’ A proposal to invite Taiwan to this year’s World Health Assembly (WHA) was rejected on Monday, resulting in Taipei’s absence from the annual meeting for a ninth consecutive year, although partners spoke up for Taiwan’s participation at the first day of the meeting. The first agenda item after the opening was a “two-on-two debate” on a proposal to invite Taiwan to participate at the WHA as an observer. Similar to previous years, two countries made statements in favor of the proposal, while two others expressed their opposition. Philippine Secretary of Health Teodoro Herbosa, president of the 78th WHA, accepted the WHA General Committee’s
At least three people died and more than a dozen were injured yesterday afternoon when a vehicle struck a group of pedestrians in New Taipei City’s Sansia District (三峽). The incident happened at about 4pm when a car rammed into pedestrians at an intersection near Bei Da Elementary School. Witnesses said the sedan, being driven at a high speed, ran a red light, knocking scooters out of the way and hitting students crossing the road before careening into a median near the intersection of Guocheng and Guoguang streets. The incident resulted in three deaths and 13 injuries, including the driver, a 78-year-old man
RSS