Taiwan is stepping up its efforts to gain the support of countries negotiating the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), as it prepares to make a bid to join the trade bloc, officials said yesterday.
The nation is seeking the support of the US and the 11 other countries involved in the TPP negotiations, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Joseph Shih (石定) told lawmakers at a hearing of the legislature’s Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee.
He said Taiwan has been trying to improve trade links with those countries and has made them aware of its interest in the TPP.
The ministry has also been closely following the development of the TPP negotiations and is working on possible titles the nation could use to join the trade bloc, Shih said.
Meanwhile, Vice Minister of Economic Affairs Cho Shih-chao (卓士昭) told the committee that Taiwan has been communicating with the countries working on the proposed grouping and will first have to deal with several trade issues raised by various states.
For example, Malaysia is concerned about tariffs, while Chile, Peru and Australia are concerned about agriculture-related issues, Cho said, in response to lawmakers’ questions.
On the question of whether the nation would try to gain Washington’s support by allowing imports of US pork containing the feed additive ractopamine, he said Taiwan has informed the US of its stance on the issue and will maintain separate regulations for beef and pork imports.
The nation lifted its ban on imports of US beef containing traces of ractopamine in July 2012, paving the way for the resumption of talks under the bilateral Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) in March last year. Until then, the talks had been suspended for more than five years.
The TPP is being negotiated by the US, Japan, Australia, Peru, Malaysia, Vietnam, New Zealand, Chile, Singapore, Canada, Mexico and Brunei, which are aiming to finish the first round of negotiations later this year.
Aftershocks from a magnitude 6.2 earthquake that struck off Yilan County at 3:45pm yesterday could reach a magnitude of 5 to 5.5, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said. Seismological Center technical officer Chiu Chun-ta (邱俊達) told a news conference that the epicenter of the temblor was more than 100km from Taiwan. Although predicted to measure between magnitude 5 and 5.5, the aftershocks would reach an intensity of 1 on Taiwan’s 7-tier scale, which gauges the actual effect of an earthquake, he said. The earthquake lasted longer in Taipei because the city is in a basin, he said. The quake’s epicenter was about 128.9km east-southeast
GENSLER SURVEY: ‘Economic infrastructure is not enough. A city needs to inspire pride, offer moments of joy and foster a sense of belonging,’ the company said Taipei was named the city with the “highest staying power” in the world by US-based design and architecture firm Gensler. The Taiwanese capital earned the top spot among 65 cities across six continents with 64 percent of Taipei respondents in a survey of 33,000 people saying they wanted to stay in the city. Rounding out the top five were Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City (61 percent), Singapore (59 percent), Sydney (58 percent) and Berlin (51 percent). Sixth to 10th place went to Monterrey, Mexico; Munich, Germany; Sao Paulo, Brazil; Vancouver; and Seoul. Cities in the US were ranked separately, with Minneapolis first at
The Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association has cautioned Japanese travelers to be vigilant against pickpockets at several popular tourist spots in Taiwan, including Taipei’s night markets, the Yongkang Street area, Zhongshan MRT Station, and Jiufen (九份) in New Taipei City. The advisory, titled “Recent Development of Concerns,” was posted on the association’s Web site under its safety and emergency report section. It urges travelers to keep backpacks fully zipped and carried in front, with valuables placed at the bottom of the bag. Visitors are advised to be especially mindful of their belongings when taking photos or speaking on the phone, avoid storing wallets and
The New Taipei City Government today warned about the often-overlooked dangers of playing in water, and recommended safe swimming destinations to cool off from the summer heat. The following locations in the city as safe and fun for those looking to enjoy the water: Chienshuiwan (淺水灣), Baishawan (白沙灣), Jhongjiao Bay (中角灣), Fulong Beach Resort (福隆海水浴場) and Sansia District’s (三峽) Dabao River (大豹溪), New Taipei City Tourism and Travel Department Director-General Yang Tsung-min (楊宗珉) said. Outdoor bodies of water have variables outside of human control, such as changing currents, differing elevations and environmental hazards, all of which can lead to accidents, Yang said. Sudden
RSS