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.
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