The Legislative Yuan today launched a new caucus aimed at strengthening economic and security ties between Taiwan, Japan and South Korea, the largest to date with 35 cross-party lawmakers.
The Northeast Asia Economic and Security Cooperation Association was initiated and would be headed by Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Chiu Chih-wei (邱志偉).
The association is to promote economic and security integration among Taiwan, Japan and South Korea, with plans to conduct regular and mission-oriented visits to both countries, Chiu said.
Photo: Fang Pin-chao, Taipei Times
The three nations are tightly linked by geopolitics, industrial supply chains and socio-cultural exchange, forming a "community of destiny" with relationships akin to family, he said.
The association is to plan legislative exchanges with Tokyo and Seoul every one to two months, focusing on semiconductor supply chains, security and disaster prevention, energy resilience and cultural industries, he said.
Legislative Yuan Deputy Secretary-General Chang Yu-jung (張裕榮) conveyed greetings on behalf of Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu (韓國瑜).
Chang also pledged to provide necessary administrative support for the caucus' promotion of international exchanges and cooperation.
Japan and South Korea have emphasized the importance of peace in the Taiwan Strait on multiple occasions, underscoring close security ties shared by the three countries, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ger Baushuan (葛葆萱) said.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs anticipates that the association would become an important platform for promoting trilateral legislative exchange, he said.
Tokyo and Seoul are Taipei’s important trade partners, Deputy Minister of Economic Affairs Cynthia Kiang (江文若) said, adding that three economies are highly complementary in semiconductors and emerging technologies.
While Taiwan has a complete semiconductor manufacturing, packaging and testing supply chain, South Korea leads globally in memory and electronic systems, and Japan holds key technologies in materials and equipment, she said.
Trilateral cooperation would strengthen supply-chain resilience in the Asia-Pacific region, forming a mutually beneficial industrial connection, she added.
Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association Director Michi Kakizawa said he is pleased to see the three countries deepening trilateral cooperation and prioritizing peace in the Taiwan Strait and regional stability.
The Korea Mission in Taipei economic section chief said this year’s APEC summit highlighted the importance of cooperation and peace in the Asia-Pacific region.
The three countries can forge closer ties across economic, industrial and legislative levels, he said.
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