Taiwan’s envoy to the upcoming APEC summit should emphasize the nation’s “positive contributions” in artificial intelligence (AI) and health, and commitment to continuing those efforts, President William Lai (賴清德) said yesterday.
At a news conference at the Presidential Office in Taipei, Lai laid out the tasks he expected the Taiwanese delegation, led by APEC envoy Lin Hsin-i (林信義), to undertake during the regional trade bloc’s Economic Leaders’ Week slated for Sunday to Saturday next week in Lima, Peru.
The delegation should aim to “promote Taiwan’s positive contributions to APEC,” highlighting the nation’s achievements in and contributions to AI, health and other fields over the years, Lai said.
Photo: George Tsorng, Taipei Times
At the same time, Taiwan supports “a fairer and more inclusive international trade order,” Lai said, adding that the delegation should also express the nation’s “strong willingness” to work with APEC partners to promote the development of digital trade.
“I believe that Lin, with his professional skills and extensive experience, will be able to effectively convey Taiwan’s voice and perspectives to the other APEC economies,” he added.
Lin — chair of Taiwania Capital Management Corp (台杉投資管理), a government-funded venture capital firm, and a senior adviser to the president — is to attend the APEC summit on behalf of Taiwan for the second time.
The 77-year-old businessman previously served the same role in 2005 during the administration of former president Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁).
Lin served as economics minister from 2000 and 2002 and vice premier from 2002 to 2004 during Chen’s administration.
Lin said he would strive to fulfill the tasks entrusted by Lai and look for opportunities to have meetings or exchanges with other APEC leaders on the sidelines of the summit.
There have been challenges and opportunities for Taiwan given the volatile global economic and geopolitical situation, Lin said, adding that the delegation would showcase Taiwan as “a reliable member of the international community” and seek more support for the country.
Other members of the delegation include National Development Council Minister Liu Chin-ching (劉鏡清) and Taiwan’s top trade negotiator, Yang Jen-ni (楊珍妮).
Many heads of government, including the US and China, are expected to attend APEC’s Economic Leaders’ Meeting and hold talks on the sidelines next week.
Taiwan, which joined APEC in 1991 under the name “Chinese Taipei,” has sent special envoys in its presidents’ stead to the APEC summits over the years due to pressure from China.
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