President Ma Ying-jeou met on the afternoon of October 1 with the delegation that will represent the ROC at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Week. In addition to expressing his appreciation to former Vice President Vincent C. Siew (蕭萬長) for heading the delegation as the Leader's Representative at the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting (AELM), he also urged the delegation to take advantage of this opportunity to update the international community on Taiwan's efforts and determination to participate in regional economic integration.
In remarks, the president stated that this year's AELM will take place on October 7 and 8 in Bali, Indonesia, where former Vice President Siew and the leaders of other APEC nations will gather to discuss economic development in the Asia-Pacific region and global economic growth trends just as the world is on the cusp of an economic rebound. In addition, the participants will draft a blueprint for APEC's future development. The president noted that the ROC delegation will explain Taiwan's strong intent to participate in these initiatives. He also expressed confidence that the meetings will have important significance for countries throughout the Asia-Pacific.
President Ma stated that former Vice President Siew has a strong understanding of economic, trade, and diplomatic issues, as he was once the minister of economic affairs, the premier, and the vice president. Over the years, he has played an effective role in the planning of Taiwan's economic blueprint, the president said. President Ma added that when former Vice President Siew served as minister of economic affairs, he attended the APEC Ministerial Meeting in 1991 and 1992. In addition, when he served as the minister of the Council for Economic Planning and Development, he represented Taiwan at the AELM in 1993 and 1994. Consequently, the president noted, former Vice President Siew is extremely familiar with the APEC format. He said he is sure that former Vice President Siew will take advantage of the opportunities presented to come in contact with other nations at appropriate junctures and to promote cooperation in a variety of areas.
President Ma stated that the APEC is one of the most important avenues for the ROC to participate in economic integration in Asia. Each year the government mobilizes enormous manpower to prepare for and attend these meetings. This year, he said, the AELM will focus on three major priorities, namely "Sustainable Growth with Equity: Food, Water, and Energy Security," "APEC's Role in Strengthening the Multilateral Trading System in the Current Global Economic Situation," and "APEC's Vision of Connectivity in the Evolving Regional and International Architecture." The leaders attending will exchange opinions on these topics, and after the meetings are expected to adopt statements supporting the multilateral trading system under the World Trade Organization in hopes of harnessing the power of the regional organization to promote the development of global economic and trade activity.
In mentioning Taiwan's efforts to take part in regional economic integration and promote trade liberalization, President Ma stated that three years ago Taiwan and its largest trading partner, mainland China, signed the Cross-Straits Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA). This was an important first step, he said, but the recently signed Cross-Strait Trade in Services Agreement, and the Cross-Strait Trade in Goods Agreement, which is currently being negotiated, are needed to round out the ECFA, he remarked.
President Ma further explained that Taiwan and Japan, its second largest trading partner, two years ago signed the Taiwan-Japan Bilateral Investment Arrangement. Meanwhile, Taiwan and its third largest trading partner, the United States, in March of this year resumed negotiations under the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement. Moreover, he said, in July of this year, Taiwan and New Zealand signed the Agreement between New Zealand and the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu on Economic Cooperation (ANZTEC), while negotiations between Taiwan and Singapore on an economic partnership agreement are in their final stage. The president expressed hope that such developments will spur economic integration between Taiwan and the rest of the region's economy. President Ma stated that the APEC is an important platform and offers an opportunity for Taiwan to interact with countries throughout the Asia-Pacific, thus enabling these nations to understand Taiwan's determination and efforts in this regard.
President Ma praised and thanked all the members of the delegation for their hard work, as well as the expertise and leadership abilities of former Vice President Siew. He also wished the delegation success during the upcoming meetings.
After the president concluded his remarks, former Vice President Siew delivered remarks of his own, in which he said he understands his important responsibility as President Ma's representative. He noted that President Ma has explained his thinking on the economic situation in the Asia-Pacific, and issued clear instructions regarding Taiwan's position on trade liberalization. Former Vice President Siew mentioned that a group of distinguished business leaders and advisors will be attending other Leaders' Week meetings, while the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also arranged for several college and university students to accompany the delegation and observe the events. He said that the ROC delegation is extremely strong, and each member will do his or her best, so he expects the delegation will fulfill its mission and live up to the expectations of the president.
Former Vice President Siew further explained to President Ma the delegation's four main focal points. First, he said, in his capacity as Leader's Representative, he will exchange opinions on multilateral trading systems, APEC objectives, and sustainable growth with equity. Former Vice President Siew also stated that the WTO ministerial-level meetings will be held in Bali at the end of this year and therefore at the upcoming meetings the participants will review a summary of the achievements of the Doha round of negotiations and adopt a "Bali package." He added that the APEC Economic Leaders' Declaration will declare support for the package in an effort to implement trade liberalization.
Next, Former Vice President Siew said, Cathay Financial Holdings Chairman Hong-Tu Tsai (蔡宏圖), MiTac-Synnex Group Chairman Matthew F.C. Miau (苗豐強) and VIA Technologies, Inc. Chairman Cher Wang (王雪紅), all of whom are distinguished representatives of the business sector, will meet with entrepreneurs from other nations and exchange opinions with them. Former Vice President Siew also expressed his deepest gratitude to these individuals for the efforts and contributions.
Former Vice President Siew then touched on the topic of cross-strait affairs. He said that the leader of mainland China and the Leader's Representative from Taiwan have met annually at APEC for a number of years and that the Executive Yuan's Mainland Affairs Council is currently making arrangements for another such meeting this year. He stated he approves of creating an institutionalized mechanism for this type of meeting, as it will have a positive impact on cross-strait relations.
Lastly, former Vice President Siew mentioned that if he has the opportunity, he will brief the others at the meeting on the current status of Taiwan's economic and trade development, as well as its determination to participate in regional economic integration. He expressed hope that this will enhance the international community's understanding of Taiwan.
In addition to former Vice President Siew, the delegation will include National Security Council Deputy Secretary-General John C. C. Deng (鄧振中), National Policy Advisor to the President Chan Hou-Sheng (詹火生, chairman of the Cross-Straits Common Market Foundation), Professor Kao Lang (高朗) of the Department of Political Science at National Taiwan University, President David S. Hong (洪德生) of the Taiwan Institute of Economic Research, Cathay Financial Holdings Chairman Hong-Tu Tsai, MiTac-Synnex Group Chairman Matthew F.C. Miau, and VIA Technologies, Inc. Chairman Cher Wang, all of whom were present at the meeting with 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), Minister of Foreign Affairs David Y. L. Lin (林永樂), and Vice Minister of Economic Affairs Shih-Chao Cho (卓士昭).