Taiwan will continue to enhance economic ties with its Central American allies through either bilateral Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) or the "Jung Pang Project," President Chen Shui-bian (
Chen made the remarks while giving a toast at a celebration party for the 185th anniversary of Central American Independence Day, organized by the Costa Rican Embassy in Taipei yesterday.
The "Jung Pang Project" refers to an investment project worth NT$7.5 billion (US$250 million) that Chen announced during his visit to Central America last October.
The funding is allocated to help Taiwanese businesses to invest in the nation's 12 allies in Central and South America.
"We have signed FTAs with Nicaragua and Guatemala, and we are actively negotiating an FTA with El Salvador, Honduras and Costa Rica," Chen said.
"Under FTA frameworks and the `Jung Pang Project,' Taiwan can help allies with their economic development plans and create more job opportunities," he added.
In his speech, Chen thanked the nation's allies for speaking out over many years in support of Taiwan's participation in international community.
Chen also said that Taiwan will not give up or feel disappointed at its repeated failure to join the UN, but will work hard to pursue that goal until Taiwan becomes a formal member of the world body.
"We will never despair or give up, but will actively figure out some new strategies to work toward that goal until Taiwan officially becomes a member of the UN," he said.
A proposal put forward by Taiwan's diplomatic allies calling for Taiwan's participation in the UN has been excluded from the agenda of the 61st session of the UN General Assembly, which opened on Tuesday in New York.
This year was the the 14th in a row in which Taiwan has failed in its bid to participate in the world body because of China's obstruction.
He said that relations between Taiwan and its Central American allies can be enhanced on the basis of the common values and existing friendship.
"Taiwan and its Central American allies all suffered under authoritarian regimes without democracy, freedom and justice. Now, the autocrats are gone, and we all cherish the values of democracy and freedom," he said.
"We will continue to deepen democracy in Taiwan. Meanwhile, we urged China to step up its pace of democratization. Only a democratic Taiwan and a democratic China can contribute to peace in the Asia-Pacific Area," he added.
Four factors led to the declaration of a typhoon day and the cancelation of classes yesterday, Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安) said. Work and classes were canceled across Taiwan yesterday as Typhoon Krathon was forecast to make landfall in the southern part of the country. However, northern Taiwan had only heavy winds during the day and rain in the evening, leading some to criticize the cancelation. Speaking at a Taipei City Council meeting yesterday, Chiang said the decision was made due to the possibility of landslides and other problems in mountainous areas, the need to avoid a potentially dangerous commute for those
Typhoon Krathon, a military airshow and rehearsals for Double Ten National Day celebrations might disrupt flights at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport in the first 10 days of next month, the airport’s operator said yesterday. Taoyuan International Airport Corp said in a statement that it has established a response center after the Central Weather Administration issued a sea warning for Krathon, and urged passengers to remain alert to the possibility of disruptions caused by the storm in the coming days. Flight schedules might also change while the air force conducts rehearsals and holds a final airshow for Double Ten National Day, it added. Although
SEMICONDUCTORS: TSMC is able to produce 2-nanometer chips and mass production is expected to be launched by next year, the company said In leading-edge semiconductor manufacturing China is behind Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC) by at least 10 years as the Taiwanese chipmaker’s manufacturing process has progressed to 2 nanometers, National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) Minister Wu Cheng-wen (吳誠文) said yesterday. Wu made the remarks during a meeting of the Legislative Yuan’s Education and Culture Committee when asked by Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Wu Pei-yi (吳沛憶) about a report published in August by the Chinese version of Nikkei Asia that said Taiwan’s lead over China in chip manufacturing was only three years. She asked Wu Cheng-wen if the report was an accurate
PRO-CHINA SLOGANS: Two DPP members criticized police officers’ lack of action at the scene, saying that law enforcement authorities should investigate the incident Chinese tourists allegedly interrupted a protest in Taipei on Tuesday held by Hong Kongers, knocked down several flags and shouted: “Taiwan and Hong Kong belong to China.” Hong Kong democracy activists were holding a demonstration as Tuesday was China’s National Day. A video posted online by civic group Hong Kong Outlanders shows a couple, who are allegedly Chinese, during the demonstration. “Today is China’s National Day, and I won’t allow the displaying of these flags,” the male yells in the video before pushing some demonstrators and knocking down a few flagpoles. Radio Free Asia reported that some of the demonstrators
RSS