When meeting with a delegation from the United States House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs at the Presidential Office on the morning of January 28, President Ma Ying-jeou stated that because the issue of imports of US beef to Taiwan has been resolved, negotiations between the two countries under the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) are expected to resume in the near future.
In remarks, President Ma thanked the delegation for visiting Asia shortly after the commencement of a new session of the Congress, and for selecting the ROC as its first stop. The president stated that mutual trust between Taiwan and the United States was shaky before he took office, and that cross-strait relations were at a semi-standstill at that time, but since he took office he has worked actively to improve relations on both fronts. For instance, systematic cross-strait negotiations were resumed and Taiwan began opening its doors to tourists from mainland China. In addition, direct cross-strait flights commenced, and Taiwan embraced the "low key, zero surprises" approach to ties with the United States, which has helped to restore mutual trust. As a result, said President Ma, US-Taiwan relations are now at their best since their diplomatic relations were terminated in 1979. In the meanwhile, cross-strait relations are more peaceful and stable than at any other time since the ROC government moved to Taiwan in 1949.
The president noted that US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has described Taiwan as an important security and economic partner of the United States, and over the past four-plus years the United States has agreed on three occasions to sell Taiwan arms worth a combined total of over US$18.3 billion. In addition, he said, Taiwan and the United States have established a strong cooperative relationship in the fight against terrorism, nuclear proliferation, and human trafficking.
The members of the delegation on January 27 toured Taiwan's Hai Shih (SS-791) submarine, one of two Guppy-class submarines that were commissioned into the ROC Navy 40 years ago while he was serving in the Navy. Today, he said, these submarines are extremely antiquated and need to be replaced.
In turning the discussion to economic and trade relations between the two countries, President Ma reiterated that Taiwan in July of last year decided to allow imports of US beef containing ractopamine. This, he said, resolved the issue of US beef imports to Taiwan, which had been in limbo for five years. The progress on that issue has paved the way for the possible resumption of talks between the two sides under the TIFA, he remarked. President Ma pointed out that during the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Vladivostok, Russia last year, his envoy to the meeting, Mr. Lien Chan (連戰), and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton reached a consensus to resume negotiations under the TIFA platform, and they are expected to resume shortly.
President Ma also mentioned that the sovereignty dispute over the Diaoyutai Islets in the East China Sea has erupted just as the United States is carrying out its policy of rebalancing to Asia. Japan and mainland China continue to ratchet up their respective claims, thereby creating tension in the East China Sea, he said. The president emphasized that the Diaoyutai Islets are appurtenant to Taiwan and are situated closer to Taiwan than to either Japan or mainland China. He stressed that since the 17th century they have fallen within the jurisdiction of Taiwan and been covered by Taiwan naval patrols. As a party to the dispute, he said, the ROC has consistently advocated peaceful means to resolve the controversy, and it is with this in mind that he announced the East China Sea Peace Initiative on August 5 of last year. He declared then that while "sovereignty over national territory cannot be compromised, natural resources can be shared."
As for Taiwan's participation in the international community, the president stated that the government is currently engaged in negotiations on economic cooperation agreements with Singapore and New Zealand, with the hope of further liberalizing Taiwan's trade and creating the conditions to join the more exclusive Trans-Pacific Partnership. In addition, he noted, when his representative Mr. Lien attended the APEC meetings last year, he reached a preliminary consensus with then-mainland Chinese leader Hu Jintao on Taiwan's participation in the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). President Ma said that the government will continue to seek meaningful participation in the ICAO, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, and other international organizations and activities.
The president said he believes this visit to Taiwan by the delegation will afford the congressmen the opportunity to exchange opinions with a wide range of people here on topics of mutual concern, which will help to promote cooperation in the areas of security, economic relations, education, culture, and anti-terrorism. President Ma concluded by saying that Taiwan will actively and resolutely support the methods employed by the visitors to achieve this end.
The delegation included House Committee on Foreign Affairs Ranking Member Eliot Engel, Chairman Matt Salmon of the Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, and Representatives Gregory Meeks, Vern Buchanan, and Tom Marino. The delegation was led by Chairman Ed Royce of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. The group was accompanied to the Presidential Office by American Institute in Taiwan Taipei Office Director Christopher J. Marut to meet President Ma. Also attending the meeting were Secretary-General to the President Timothy Chin-tien Yang (楊進添), National Security Council Secretary-General Jason C. Yuan (袁健生), and Minister of Foreign Affairs David Y. L. Lin (林永樂).