Taiwan needs to enter more free-trade agreements to ensure the country's competitiveness on the global stage, Minister of Foreign Affairs Eugene Chien (
"We can not stop just because we've succeeded in our bid for WTO membership," Chien told a seminar of Taiwan's overseas representatives. "All of us must keep in mind that there is more on the agenda for us, such as establishing bilateral and multilateral free-trade zones."
The seminar was held by the foreign ministry as part of its one-week consultation for Taiwan's representatives to Spain, Luxembourg, Argentina, Melbourne in Australia, India, Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, and Chicago, Atlanta and Kansas in US.
The series of seminars, meant to familiarize the representatives with Taiwan's development, is the first of its kind under Chien, who became foreign minister in February.
"In today's highly competitive globalization era, we need to keep in mind that the moment we relax, we run the risk of being eliminated from global competition," he said.
Using the examples of the free-trade pact between Japan and Singapore and the agreement between ASEAN and China to establish a free-trade area, Chien stressed the importance of Taiwan's engagement in free-trade zones.
"Economic strength is the backbone of our diplomatic work," Chien said. "So it's important for us to be aware of the economic trends that are taking place around the world," he said.
Chien's remarks echoed those of President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁), who in April proposed a free-trade zone with Japan, Singapore and the US to counter China's growing economic influence in Asia.
After the seminar, the representatives visited the president, who praised their work and told them there was little difference between his work and theirs.
"Our goal is the same -- to do what's most beneficial for Taiwan and its people," he said.
Chen also encouraged the representatives to press on with their diplomatic efforts despite constant pressure from China.
"To carry out good diplomatic work means to let the whole world know about Taiwan," Chen said. "We should not shy away from difficulties. After all, the world stage is large enough that there is always room for us to participate."
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