The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) is to expand collaboration with the US, Australia, New Zealand and the EU to coordinate the distribution of foreign aid, a draft white paper says.
Democratic Progressive Party legislators Chiu Chih-wei (邱志偉) and Hsu Chih-chieh (許智傑) last year demanded that the ministry update its White Paper on Foreign Aid Policy, which has not been changed in 13 years.
The document’s foreword was written by then-president Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) and his approach to foreign policy does not reflect the views of the current administration, the lawmakers said.
Photo: CNA
The ministry earlier said it would draft a “white paper on international cooperation and development policy,” and publish it this month.
However, a ministry source who spoke on condition of anonymity said that the white paper’s release has been delayed, as the officials in charge need more time to perfect the document.
The draft white paper includes a foreword by President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) that emphasizes Taiwan’s key role in countering the global rise of authoritarianism, reducing regional tensions and promoting sustainable development, they said.
Taiwan’s official development assistance program was launched last year with a budget of US$343 million, they said.
The ministry intends to continue funding the program, which would provide targeted aid to improve public health services, digital transition and industry upgrade in recipient countries, the source said.
The funds would also be used to mitigate the effects of climate change, build new capabilities, and bolster financial institutions and the quality of governance, the source added.
The ministry sees the public sector as the most important source of funding for the nation’s efforts in international development cooperation, they said.
Taiwan would prioritize collaboration with like-minded countries, international humanitarian groups, civil society and private enterprises, the ministry said, giving as an example the Global Cooperation and Training Framework established by Taiwan and the US, which was later joined by Japan and Australia.
Taiwan has also partnered with the US Agency for International Development to provide aid to friendly countries, it said.
Taiwan would continue to strive toward joining foreign aid establishments in the US, Australia and New Zealand, as well as France and other EU member states, it said.
The nation would continue to leverage its soft power stemming from its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and agricultural assistance to developing countries, the ministry said, adding that these activities would help raise Taiwan’s international profile.
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