President Ma Ying-jeou on the morning of November 8 attended the opening ceremonies of the 2010 Conference of the Overseas Compatriot Affairs Commission. The president expressed his hopes that overseas compatriots will continue to support the government in its efforts to create peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, maximize the nation's soft power, and enable the world to see all that is good about the Republic of China.
The president commented that Article 141 of the Constitution specifies that "The foreign policy of the Republic of China shall, in a spirit of independence and initiative and on the basis of the principles of equality and reciprocity, cultivate good-neighborliness with other nations, and respect treaties and the Charter of the United Nations, in order to protect the rights and interests of Chinese citizens residing abroad, promote international cooperation, advance international justice and ensure world peace." This clearly demonstrates that protecting the rights and interests of overseas compatriots is an important portion of the ROC's foreign policy, and also highlights the importance that the government places on overseas compatriots, he said.
President Ma remarked that he has aggressively sought to improve cross-strait relations in the two-plus years since taking office. The signing of the cross-strait Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement last June has put trade and investment between the two sides on a systematic footing, he pointed out, and has also enabled Taiwan to better participate in economic integration within the Asia-Pacific region. The president said the policy of cross-strait reconciliation has created a stable and peaceful environment, which is conducive to moving towards the government's objectives of establishing Taiwan as a global center for innovation, an economic and trade hub in the Asia-Pacific, an operations headquarters for Taiwan companies, and a regional headquarters for foreign companies. President Ma noted that countries throughout the world have expressed support for the policies embraced by the government. In other words, he said, the ROC of today is playing four important roles in the world, namely that of a peacemaker, a provider of humanitarian aid, a promoter of cultural ties, and a creator of new technologies and business opportunities.
President Ma explained that while per capita GDP has already surpassed US$18,000, the ROC still has a distance to go to reach the ratio of foreign aid to GDP of 0.7% as suggested by the United Nations. The government, he said, will strengthen its efforts to provide assistance, thereby fulfilling its responsibility to the international community. The president specifically pointed out that a rescue team from the ROC was the first to reach Haiti after a devastating earthquake rocked that nation early this year. Meanwhile, the ROC is promoting the "360 Project" in Nauru in order to improve the living conditions of the public in our ally, he said. These initiatives exhibit the compassion of the ROC and prove that the ROC is an active participant in the world community.
The president stressed that Taiwan possesses an enormous amount of soft power, citing examples such as the Cloud Gate Dance Theatre and the Ming Hwa Yuan Taiwanese Opera Company, both of which have won international acclaim. Meanwhile, representatives from Taiwan have turned in stellar performances in many international competitions, such as the iENA Nuremberg invention fair, the International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva, and the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, he said.
President Ma explained that in a speech marking the second anniversary of his inauguration, he announced six major initiatives, namely to strengthen the country through innovation, revive the country by promoting culture, save the country through environmental protection, stabilize the country by adhering to the constitution, secure the country by providing social services, and protect the country by promoting peace, with special emphasis being placed on the final objective. Given the long-running standoff between Taiwan and mainland China, we must make the best use of our soft power to bring about peaceful cross-strait relations, and must tap into our innovative strength to offset the military imbalance between the two sides and reduce the likelihood of war.
President Ma also mentioned that next year marks the centenary of the ROC, and that a series of celebratory activities will be held to mark the milestone. Next year, he said, will be tantamount to a "Taiwan Expo." The president extended an invitation to overseas compatriots to participate in the festivities and join with local compatriots in witnessing the glory and pride of the ROC's 100th year.