During a meeting on the afternoon of September 26 with US Senior Official for APEC Robert S. Wang, President Ma Ying-jeou commented that Taiwan and the United States have many opportunities to cooperate under the APEC framework, and he expressed confidence that Taiwan's delegation to the APEC meetings, to be led by former Vice President Vincent C. Siew (蕭萬長), will acquit itself admirably and enable APEC member nations to better understand the ROC.
In remarks, the president noted that Senior Official Wang previously served as the deputy director of the Taipei Office of the American Institute in Taiwan. He has also served in Tokyo, Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, and Singapore, the president added, pointing to his wealth of experience. President Ma said that Senior Official Wang is highly competent for his current position in light of his background.
With respect to APEC, President Ma stated, the ROC supports the APEC initiatives that have been put forward by the United States. In addition to the Good Regulatory Practices (GRP) initiative, he said, the US has also proposed a Green Growth Initiative and an Energy Smart Communities Initiative. Meanwhile, he noted, the United States has also expressed support for Taiwan's efforts, including the hosting of a "Seminar on Strengthening Public-Private Partnership to Reduce Food Losses in the Supply Chain" (to contribute to food security), proposal of a "Multi-Year Project on Innovation for Women and Economic Development," and proposal of a "Start-up Accelerator Initiative." The president said that both sides undoubtedly have many opportunities to cooperate under the APEC framework.
President Ma also explained to Senior Official Wang that former Vice President Siew will attend the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting on his behalf this year. He pointed out that over the past 20 years, former Vice President Siew has attended APEC meetings in various capacities, and that he is the most well-versed official from Taiwan in APEC-related affairs. Consequently, the former vice president will certainly be able to use his expertise to help other participants better understand Taiwan. In addition, the president stated, APEC has the long-term objective of creating a free trade bloc, which he said is something he would be pleased to see realized.
In discussing trade and economic relations between Taiwan and the United States, President Ma stated that in March of this year the two sides resumed negotiations under the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement that had been stalled for five years. The president expressed hope for breakthroughs that will enable the two sides to sign a bilateral investment agreement. Furthermore, he mentioned, former Vice President Siew will lead a delegation of leading businessmen from Taiwan to the United States this coming November to look for investment opportunities. The president said he hopes that the visit will further enhance the bilateral economic and trade relationship.
President Ma noted that in recent years the United States has pursued a policy of "rebalancing toward Asia" and led efforts to establish the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), which shows the importance that the United States places on the region. Taiwan, the president commented, also strongly hopes to join the TPP, adding that it is working to create the conditions to do so. He expressed confidence that Taiwan's TPP membership would help the United States to achieve its objectives.
The president further explained that Taiwan and mainland China in June of this year signed the Cross-Strait Trade in Services Agreement, which was followed by the signing of the Agreement between New Zealand and the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu on Economic Cooperation (ANZTEC) in July. In addition, he said, negotiations between Taiwan and Singapore on an economic partnership agreement are in their final stage. These agreements will help promote trade liberalization in Taiwan, he remarked, and will also help create the conditions for Taiwan to join the TPP.
As for Taiwan's participation in the international community, President Ma stated, Taiwan has attended the World Health Assembly now for five consecutive years. In addition, the director general of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications' Civil Aeronautics Administration is currently in Montreal, Canada to attend the 38th Assembly of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). US Department of State spokesperson Jen Psaki and the US Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx have both expressed their support for this development, he said. Taiwan's participation in the ICAO will enhance aviation safety in Taiwan, and also will have benefits for other member nations, the president stated. He remarked that over the past five years the United States has supported meaningful participation for Taiwan in international organizations and activities. The president expressed his deepest appreciation for this support, and called for continued strengthening of the bilateral relationship.
Senior Officer Wang was accompanied to the Presidential Office by Director Christopher J. Marut of the American Institute in Taiwan Taipei Office to meet President Ma. Also attending the meeting were Secretary-General to the President Timothy Chin-Tien Yang (楊進添), National Security Council Deputy Secretary-General Jacob Chang (張大同), and Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Vanessa Yea-Ping Shih (史亞平).