President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) urged Japan yesterday to sign a free trade agreement (FTA) with Taiwan as early as possible to further boost bilateral trade and economic cooperation.
Chen made the remarks while meeting with a large Japanese delegation organized by the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's (LDP's) youth affairs department.
Noting that Taiwan and Japan are geographically close and roughly similar in economic development, Chen said both countries will benefit from signing a free trade pact.
"We have signed an FTA with Panama and we hope to sign a similar agreement with Japan in the not too distant future," Chen said.
He also expressed his hope that Japan extends visa-free treatment to Taiwan citizens on a reciprocal basis. Taiwan has long offered such privilege to Japanese citizens.
With a view to promoting its tourism and economic development, Japan offered visa-free treatment to South Korean and Hong Kong citizens earlier this year. Chen said Taiwan people make some 800,000 visits to Japan annually. If Japan offers visa-free privileges to Taiwan citizens, he said, the move will not only help boost Japan's tourist revenues but also strengthen bilateral civilian and cultural exchanges.
During his meeting with the LDP delegation, Chen also said he is very grateful for Japan's vocal support for Taiwan's participation in the World Health Assembly (WHA) -- the World Health Organization's governing body -- as an observer at this year's WHA meeting in May.
"We hope Japan can continue to support our bid to join the WHA and other major international organizations," Chen said.
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