President Ma Ying-jeou met on the morning of July 28 with the president of the Central American Parliament (PARLACEN), Paula Lorena Rodriguez Lima de Castellanos. In addition to welcoming the delegation led by President Rodriguez to the ROC, President Ma explained recent developments on the diplomatic front between the ROC and its Latin American allies. He also expressed hope for lasting alliances between the ROC and its diplomatic partners in the region, and called for even greater cooperation.
In remarks, President Ma stated that President Rodriguez has an impressive background, both academically and in the political arena, having served as a member and vice-president of PARLACEN, as well as its president. President Rodriguez led a delegation to Taiwan in July 2012, he added, expressing confidence that she will find Taiwan's society as thriving as ever on this visit two years later, and that this visit may give her new perspectives on the state of development here.
President Ma also mentioned that in early July he had led a delegation to attend the inauguration of Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela and visit El Salvador. During the trip he had the opportunity to talk with heads of state and other senior officials, which enhanced mutual understanding and gave him a feel for the strong friendship of the ROC's friends in the region.
As for interaction between the ROC and PARLACEN, the president explained that PARLACEN for many years has supported the ROC in the international community. Apart from passing many resolutions and motions in support of the ROC's participation in the international community, the body has also spoken on behalf of the ROC on numerous occasions at United Nations organizations, he said. One example he pointed to was in February of last year, when the members of PARLACEN unanimously passed a declaration of support for the ROC's East China Sea Peace Initiative. At the same time, it has supported observer status for Taiwan in the International Civil Aviation Organization, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, and other UN organizations and mechanisms, he remarked. The president said this shows that PARLACEN is a staunch supporter of Taiwan, and its work provides Taiwan with opportunities to contribute to stability and prosperity in the world.
As for cross-strait relations, President Ma explained, Taiwan has actively sought to strengthen its ties with mainland China in order to achieve peace and prosperity. Many substantive results have been seen in this regard, he said, indicating that there are now 118 direct cross-strait flights daily. In addition, the number of mainland Chinese students studying in Taiwan has grown from 823 six years ago to over 25,000 now, he said. Meanwhile, the president stated, in February and June of this year, the ministerial-level officials from both sides of the Taiwan Strait responsible for cross-strait affairs made reciprocal visits. Minister Wang Yu-chi (王郁琦) of Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council and Minister Zhang Zhijun (張志軍) of mainland China's Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council met in Nanjing and Taipei, respectively. This shows that cross-strait relationship is gradually expanding and improving, he said.
President Ma also mentioned that the ROC is actively pursuing its role as a "regional peacemaker." For instance, he noted, last year Taiwan and Japan signed a fisheries agreement, effectively settling a 40-year fishing dispute. Seventeen fisheries-related disputes had arisen between the two countries in the year prior to the signing of the agreement, but that number dropped to just one last year, the president remarked. In addition, Taiwan and the Philippines resolved the Guang Da Xing No. 28 fishing boat incident, in which a Philippine government vessel fired on a Taiwanese fishing boat in overlapping economic waters, damaging the boat and killing a fisherman. After three months of negotiations, the two sides signed an agreement on law enforcement in the area, in which both sides pledged to avoid the use of military force, notify the other prior to enforcement actions, and speedily release any persons detained or arrested, he stated. Both of these examples show that disputes can be solved peacefully, he said. President Ma added that this helps maintain peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region, and also has been applauded by the international community.
The delegation of over 10 individuals included PARLACEN Vice-Presidents Hermes Alcides Flores Molina, Mirelys Uceta Velez, Dorindo J. Cortez Marciaga, and Orlando Jose Tardencilla.