President Ma Ying-jeou met on the morning of March 5 with the 2014 recipients of the Asia Pacific Journalism Fellowships, which are awarded by the East-West Center in Honolulu, Hawaii. During discussions, the president described the recent state of relations between Taiwan and the United States, as well as Taiwan and the international community.
In remarks, President Ma welcomed the fellowship recipients to Taiwan. He noted that Taiwan is the first stop for them on a tour through Asia, and expressed confidence that their journalistic expertise and their understanding of Asian affairs is sure to make this trip extremely fruitful for them.
The president mentioned that Taiwan was ranked 17th in the 2014 Index of Economic Freedom published by the Heritage Foundation of the United States in January of this year, and Freedom House in its Freedom in the World 2014 report listed Taiwan as a "free nation" for the 15th consecutive year. Within this rating, Taiwan was given a score of "1" for political rights (on a scale of 1 to 7, with 1 being the best) and "2" in civil liberties, the president mentioned. All of these results indicate international recognition of Taiwan's democratic and economic development, he stated.
As for its relations with the international community, the president noted, the ROC intends to act as a peacemaker and a provider of humanitarian aid throughout the globe. In the role of peacemaker, for instance, he said, over the past six years the government has strived to improve cross-strait relations, which has reduced tensions between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait. To date, the two sides have signed 21 agreements and reached two points of consensus, he stated, which has enabled the Taiwan Strait to transform from a battlefield into a boulevard of peace.
President Ma commented that in mid-February Wang Yu-Chi (王郁琦), Minister of the Executive Yuan's Mainland Affairs Council, met with his mainland Chinese counterpart Zhang Zhijun (張志軍), Minister of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, in Nanjing. This marked the first time in the 65 years since the two sides of the Taiwan Strait came under separate rule that the top officials for cross-strait affairs from the two sides have met. Consequently, this meeting carried important significance for cross-strait relations and the development of peace, the president stated.
President Ma further explained that Taiwanese fishermen in the past were frequently disrupted by Japanese vessels when fishing near the Diaoyutai Islets. In some cases, fishermen were even arrested or detained, and their boats were rammed. In April of last year, however, Taiwan and Japan signed a fisheries agreement that leaves the sovereignty claims of both sides intact, and also sets the framework for cooperation regarding fishing rights, thus resolving a fishing dispute that had lasted 40 years. In addition, in May of last year a Philippine government vessel fired on a Taiwanese fishing boat in overlapping economic waters, killing one fisherman and damaging the boat. The president said that after three months of negotiations, the Philippines agreed to apologize, pay compensation, punish the perpetrators, and enter into fishing negotiations with Taiwan. In dealing with this matter, the two sides reached three points of consensus, namely, that force should not be used in the enforcement of laws, that each side should notify the other prior to taking any law enforcement action, and that any individuals apprehended by the other should be released as soon as possible. President Ma explained that the efforts by Taiwan to establish orderly fishing in the East China Sea and the South China Sea make it possible to maintain peace in both areas and continue developing resources.
The president then discussed humanitarian aid, saying that parts of the Philippines incurred heavy damage and loss of life when Typhoon Haiyan battered the area in November of last year, killing over 6,000 people. President Ma said that the ROC responded promptly with over 680 tons of relief supplies and US$200,000 in donations, which were delivered to the Philippines on 18 flights by ROC air force cargo planes and naval vessels to aid the disaster victims. Taiwan's total assistance came to over US$12 million, he mentioned. The president remarked that even though the fishing dispute between the two sides had taken place just several months prior to the disaster, Taiwan still focused on humanitarian needs arising from the disaster, since "humanitarian aid always takes first priority."
President Ma also mentioned that two years ago he unveiled the East China Sea Peace Initiative, and on February 26 of this year Taiwan issued the Statement on East China Sea Air Space Security, urging that all parties concerned abide by the principles of international law and to seek peaceful resolutions to disputes. And so long as a dispute remains resolved, said the president, the parties should engage in bilateral dialogue and adopt temporary measures to keep the dispute from expanding and escalating. In addition, he expressed hope that the parties concerned should jointly negotiate the formulation of the "East China Sea Code of Conduct" as the basis for avoiding conflict and accidents. This, he noted, will enhance stability and prosperity in the region.
Addressing the topic of free trade, President Ma noted that three years ago Taiwan and mainland China signed the Cross-Straits Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement. The following year, Taiwan and Japan signed the Taiwan-Japan Bilateral Investment Arrangement, and last year Taiwan signed the ANZTEC economic cooperation agreement with New Zealand and the ASTEP economic partnership agreement with Singapore. The president said the government hopes to create the conditions conducive for Taiwan to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership. This will keep Taiwan from being marginalized during the process of regional economic integration.
As for Taiwan-US relations, President Ma stated, over the past six years Taiwan and the United States have gradually restored mutual trust at the highest levels, and have strengthened cooperation in the area of security. He pointed out that the United States in November 2012 formally included Taiwan in its Visa Waiver Program, making the ROC the 37th country to be included in the initiative and the only one with which the United States does not maintain formal diplomatic relations. As a result, the number of visits made by Taiwanese to the United States each year has increased to 460,000. This has helped tourism and the overall economy in the United States, he said. The president also mentioned that former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has described Taiwan as an important security and economic partner of the United States, which highlights the strong and friendly nature of the bilateral relationship.
Lastly, President Ma expressed hope that this trip will enhance the visitors' understanding of Taiwan's political, economic, and social situation, and he also called for continued advancement in friendship between Taiwan and the United States.
Members of the delegation included Miami Herald International Edition Editor in Chief Charles Sherman, USA Today Editor in Chief for Travel Veronica Stoddart, Fortune magazine Senior Editor Ryan Bradley, Seattle Times Technology Columnist Brier Dudley, CNN International News Producer Victoria Kennedy, and Huffington Post Executive Tech Editor Bianca Bosker.