President William Lai (賴清德) yesterday urged regional leaders to collaborate in technology and secure supply chains ahead of the APEC summit in South Korea on Friday next week.
Presidential adviser and Taiwania Capital chairman Lin Hsin-i (林信義) has accepted the government’s request to again act as Taiwan’s envoy to the meeting in Gyeongju, Lai told a news conference in Taipei.
The delegation would enhance Taiwan’s global visibility, ties with world leaders and economic cooperation with regional governments, he said.
Photo: Lo Pei-de, Taipei Times
The theme of this year’s APEC summit of “building a sustainable tomorrow through connections, innovation and prosperity” is in line with Taiwan’s economic strategy for dealing with rising global challenges and uncertainty, he said.
Taiwan’s foremost priority is to strengthen its economic resilience in collaboration with regional partners to facilitate shared growth in a free, equal, rules-based and predictable multilateral trade environment, he said.
Taiwan is willing to share its experience in developing pioneering industries through public-private cooperation as the nation transitions from manufacturing to an innovation-based economy, Lai said.
Taipei welcomes like-minded nations as economic partners in advanced industries such as chipmaking and other sectors in which Taiwan is a leader, he said.
Economic coordination and investments are essential for nations in the region to revitalize high-value-added industries amid global challenges, Lai said.
Taiwan is committed to establishing a robust artificial intelligence (AI) sector, which would be key to reshaping the global economy and social order, he said.
That would involve comprehensive investments to facilitate the application of algorithmic technology to every sector of the economy, which would contribute to APEC’s goals on “smart” medicine and sustainable governance, Lai said.
Lin thanked the president for the opportunity to represent Taiwan at APEC for a fifth time, adding that South Korea’s emphasis on AI and demographic issues reflected the region’s shared challenges.
Geopolitical tensions, supply chain disruptions, aging populations, AI and digital transformation are all opportunities and risks to the Indo-Pacific region, the engine of global economic growth, he said.
The organization must find a way to maintain stability, collaboration and shared economic growth for the good of the world, as the GDP of APEC’s 21 members account for 61 percent of the global economy, Lin said.
NETWORK-MAPPING PROJECT: The database contains 170 detailed files of Taiwanese politicians and about 23 million records of household registration data in Taiwan China has developed a network-mapping project targeting political figures and parties in Taiwan to monitor public opinion during elections and to craft tailored influence campaigns aimed at dividing Taiwanese society, according to documents leaked by Chinese technology firm GoLaxy (中科天璣). The documents, collected by Taipei-based Doublethink Lab, showed a database was specifically created to gather detailed information on Taiwanese political figures, including their political affiliations, job histories, birthplaces, residences, education, religion and a brief biography about them. Several notable Taiwanese politicians are in the database, including President William Lai (賴清德), former president Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文), Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍),
KEY INDUSTRY: The vice premier discussed a plan to create a non-red drone supply chain by next year, which has been allocated a budget of more than NT$7.2 billion The government has budgeted NT$44.2 billion (US$1.38 billion) to cultivate Taiwan’s uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) industry over the next five years, which would make the nation a major player in the industry’s democratic supply chain in the Asia-Pacific region, Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) said yesterday. Cho made the remarks during a visit to the facilities of Cub Elecparts Inc (為升電裝). Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Chen Su-yueh (陳素月) and Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Legislator Hsieh Yi-fong (謝依鳳) also participated in the trip. Cub Elecparts has transitioned from the automotive industry to the defense industry, which is the top priority among the nation’s
UPGRADED MISSILE: The Chungshan Institute of Science and Technology is reportedly to conduct a live-fire test of the Hsiung Feng III anti-ship missile on Thursday next week The US Army is planning to build new facilities to boost explosives production and strengthen its supply chain, a move aimed at addressing munitions shortages and supporting obligations to partners including Taiwan, Ukraine and Israel, Defense News reported. The army has issued a sources sought notice for a proposed Center of Excellence at the Blue Grass Army Depot in Kentucky, the report said. The facility would serve as a hub within the US industrial base for the production of key military explosives, including research department explosives (RDX) and high melting explosives (HMX), while also supporting research and development of next-generation materials. The proposed
SOUTH KOREA DISPUTE: If Seoul continues to ignore its request, Taiwan would change South Korea’s designation on its arrival cards, the foreign ministry said If South Korea does not reply appropriately to a request to correct Taiwan’s name on its e-Arrival card system before March 31, the government would take corresponding measures to change how South Korea is labeled on the online Taiwan Arrival Card system, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said yesterday. South Korea’s e-Arrival card system lists Taiwan as “China (Taiwan)” in the “point of departure” and “next destination” fields. Taipei has asked Seoul to change the wording. Since March 1, South Koreans who hold government-issued Alien Resident Certificates (ARC) have been identified as from “South Korea” rather than the “Republic of Korea,” the
RSS