In view of growing economic exchanges between Taiwan and South Korea, there is a need for the two countries to resume minister-level trade and economic talks on issues that are of mutual concern, President Chen Shui-bian (
The president made the remarks when receiving former South Korea parliament speaker Park Kwan-young at the Presidential Office yesterday.
Relations between the two countries are gradually proceeding forward, the president said, noting that in addition to the resumption of flights between the two countries and visa-free entry for each other's citizens, Taiwan also reopened a representative office in Busan -- South Korea's second largest city and its biggest trading port -- in March.
Taiwan's representative office in Busan, formerly a consulate, was closed when Taipei and Seoul severed diplomatic relations in 1992, in retaliation for Seoul's decision to forge diplomatic ties with China that same year. Taiwan also cut air links with South Korea, which were not resumed until last December.
Trade and economic relations between the two countries are growing closer, the president told his South Korean visitor, citing statistics showing that bilateral trade between the two countries last year reached US $16.9 billion with South Korea being Taiwan's fifth biggest trading partner, its fourth biggest import country and its sixth biggest export country.
Additionally, about 450,000 citizens of the two countries exchanged visits last year, with approximately 300,000 Taiwanese visiting South Korea and 150,000 South Koreans visiting Taiwan, Chen said.
"In view of the frequent interactions, and trade and economic exchanges between Taiwan and the South Korea, there is really a need for both countries to resume minister-level trade and economic meetings," Chen said.
Park, whose last visit to Taiwan was 12 years ago, told Chen he had seen "dramatic changes" in Taiwan during his current visit.
Noting the increasing ties between Taiwan and South Korea, Park said that given both countries' common values of freedom and democracy, he is confident that relations will advance.
South Korea is host country for this year's Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit (APEC), which will take place in November in Busan.
US President George W. Bush and some 6,000 leaders and officials from 21 APEC countries are expected to take part in the Nov. 18-19 meeting.
Prior to the APEC leaders' summit in November, officials from APEC member countries, including some from Taiwan, will participate in a two-day forum starting today on the resort island of Jeju, off South Korea's southern tip.
The Taiwanese delegation departed on Tuesday for the meeting and is headed by Minister of Economic Affairs Ho Mei-yueh (何美玥).
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