Taiwan and Japan are two like-minded countries willing to work together to form a “safety barrier” in the Indo-Pacific region, Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) yesterday said at the opening ceremony of the 35th Taiwan-Japan Modern Engineering and Technology Symposium in Taipei.
Taiwan and Japan are close geographically and closer emotionally, he added.
Citing the overflowing of a barrier lake in the Mataian River (馬太鞍溪) in September, Cho said the submersible water level sensors given by Japan during the disaster helped Taiwan monitor the lake’s water levels more accurately.
Photo: Chen Yi-kuan, Taipei Times
Japan also provided a lot of vaccines early in the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, Cho said, adding that such caring actions were deeply heartwarming to Taiwanese.
Taiwan-Japan collaborations in engineering have been fruitful overseas, including an MRT project in Jakarta and the North-South Commuter Railway project in the Philippines, Cho said.
Taiwan and Japan should expect more win-win collaborations, he said, adding that both sides should cooperate more closely in response to the new trade landscape formed amid global tariff impacts.
Aside from exchanges regarding industries, economy, culture and tourism, Taiwan and Japan are also devoted to maintaining regional peace and stability, he said.
Taiwan would take responsibility and demonstrate its ability to defend national sovereignty and security, he said.
Cho said he expects Taiwan to stand side by side with aligned countries across the world to fight together for freedom, democracy and human rights.
Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association Taipei Office Deputy Representative Gen Kawai said that Taiwan is a geographical neighbor and a partner with common core values for Japan, adding that the strong bilateral bond has been forged through numerous face-to-face communications by people of both sides.
Taiwan and Japan face similar social and geographical challenges, including frequent natural disasters such as earthquakes, scarce natural resources, low birthrates and aging societies, he said.
Engineers from both sides can contribute their knowledge and skills to jointly address such challenges, Kawai said, adding that he expects this year’s symposium to consolidate such mutually beneficial ties.
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