President Ma Ying-jeou met with Vice Chairman of the Seoul Taipei Club Baik Yong-Ki and Mrs. Baik at the Presidential Office on the afternoon of May 14, and extended a warm welcome to them on behalf of the government and people of the ROC (Taiwan).
The president remarked that since joining the Seoul Taipei Club, Mr. Baik has spared no effort in promoting relations between Taiwan and the Republic of Korea. President Ma noted that Mr. Baik is receiving the Economic Medal from the Ministry of Economic Affairs this afternoon in recognition of his efforts in promoting economic cooperation between Taiwan and Korea. The president extended his respects and gratitude to Mr. Baik in this regard.
President Ma commented that the Republic of Korea is Taiwan's fifth largest trading partner and the two maintain close cultural interaction. In recent years, he said, many universities in Korea have begun offering Chinese language courses. He said he hopes that the two sides will be able to strengthen cooperation in the areas of education and culture. In addition, Vice Chairman Baik has maintained long-term cooperative relationships with Seoul Taipei Club Honorary Chairman Jeffery Koo and many entrepreneurs from Taiwan. The president said he hopes that Vice Chairman Baik will make the best use of this foundation to further strengthen interaction with Taiwan.
The president said that since taking office on May 20 last year, the government has had to respond to the economic recession triggered by the financial tsunami. It has also been resolute in working to improve relations between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait and instituting the "Three Links". The government will soon ease restrictions on mainland Chinese investment in Taiwan, and the two sides have also reached an agreement that will further open the local insurance, banking and securities industries to investment from the mainland. The main objective of these initiatives is to complete work that was not carried out or was not completed over the previous eight years. This will create a better economic climate and will attract corporate investment to Taiwan, he said. The president stressed that the improvement in relations between Taiwan and mainland China will significantly increase stability and security in the East Asian region. This is leading to better relations with the United States and Japan, and a resumption of mutual trust at the highest levels. The president said he hopes that relations between Taiwan and Korea can develop along these lines in the future.
Vice Chairman Baik thanked President Ma for taking time out of his busy schedule to meet with him. He also praised President Ma for his efforts to improve cross-strait relations and the contributions this has made to regional peace and the world economy.