The nation’s new representative to Singapore, Fadah Hsieh (謝發達), yesterday said signing a free-trade agreement with the city-state was at the top of his agenda, but did not give a timeframe for that objective.
It would be “unrealistic” to set a timetable for completion of negotiations on the Agreement between Singapore and the Separate -Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu on Economic Partnership (ASTEP), but “we will get it done with the fastest speed,” Hsieh said.
Taiwan and Singapore began formal talks on the ASTEP early last year after a four-month study on the feasibility of such a deal was completed.
Photo: Chang Chia-ming, Taipei Times
Hsieh is scheduled to report to his new job on Thursday next week.
The Ministry of Foreign -Affairs yesterday held a swearing-in ceremony for Hsieh, who was appointed to replace Vanessa Shih (史亞平) amid reported tensions between the two nations over various issues that have reportedly impeded the progress of ASTEP negotiations.
Meanwhile, newly appointed representative to Japan, Shen Ssu-tsun (沈斯淳) was also sworn in yesterday, and vowed to give a speech in Japanese within six months of his inauguration.
He made the promise in response to criticism about his lack of skills in Japanese.
Shen is scheduled to assume his new post at the end of next month after Representative John Feng (馮寄台) returns to Taiwan.
Although Feng’s application for retirement has been approved, there has been speculation that he has been tapped to succeed Timothy Yang (楊進添) to lead the ministry as part of a planned -second-stage of a Cabinet reshuffle that will be held before President Ma Ying-jeou’s (馬英九) inauguration for his second term in office on May 20.
Yang said he had not heard any information in that regard and refused to comment.
Palauan President Surangel Whipps Jr arrived in Taiwan last night to kick off his first visit to the country since beginning his second term earlier this year. After arriving at Taoyuan International Airport at around 6:30 pm, Whipps and his delegation were welcomed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍). Speaking to gathered media, the Palauan leader said he was excited and honored to be back in Taiwan on his first state visit to Taiwan since he was sworn in this January. Among those traveling with Whipps is Minister of State Gustav N. Aitaro, Public Infrastructure
President William Lai (賴清德) yesterday thanked Palau for its continued support of Taiwan's international participation, as Taipei was once again excluded from the World Health Assembly (WHA) currently taking place in Switzerland. "Palau has never stopped voicing support for Taiwan" in the UN General Assembly, the WHO and other UN-affiliated agencies, Lai said during a bilateral meeting with visiting Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. "We have been profoundly touched by these endorsements," Lai said, praising the Pacific island nation's firm support as "courageous." Lai's remarks came as Taiwan was excluded for the ninth consecutive year from the WHA, which is being held in
RESOLUTIONS DEBATE: Taiwan’s allies said that UN and WHA resolutions cited by China and other nations ‘do not determine Taiwan’s participation in WHO activities’ A proposal to invite Taiwan to this year’s World Health Assembly (WHA) was rejected on Monday, resulting in Taipei’s absence from the annual meeting for a ninth consecutive year, although partners spoke up for Taiwan’s participation at the first day of the meeting. The first agenda item after the opening was a “two-on-two debate” on a proposal to invite Taiwan to participate at the WHA as an observer. Similar to previous years, two countries made statements in favor of the proposal, while two others expressed their opposition. Philippine Secretary of Health Teodoro Herbosa, president of the 78th WHA, accepted the WHA General Committee’s
At least three people died and more than a dozen were injured yesterday afternoon when a vehicle struck a group of pedestrians in New Taipei City’s Sansia District (三峽). The incident happened at about 4pm when a car rammed into pedestrians at an intersection near Bei Da Elementary School. Witnesses said the sedan, being driven at a high speed, ran a red light, knocking scooters out of the way and hitting students crossing the road before careening into a median near the intersection of Guocheng and Guoguang streets. The incident resulted in three deaths and 13 injuries, including the driver, a 78-year-old man
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