President Ma Ying-jeou met on the afternoon of December 16 with a delegation of scholars and experts who specialize in issues related to the United Nations (UN). The president briefed his visitors on measures taken by the ROC to promote international cooperation and participate in international affairs, and stressed that the ROC will continue to deepen interaction and exchanges with international organizations.
In remarks, President Ma noted that the delegation included important members of the international academic community, former UN officials, and leaders of non-governmental organizations that are important participants in UN activities. All of the guests have impressive backgrounds and have long focused on issues such as global sustainable development, environmental protection, green energy technology, and democracy & human rights, he said. The president applauded them for their dedication to international affairs.
President Ma remarked that Article 141 of the ROC Constitution provides that the foreign policy of the Republic of China shall respect the Charter of the United Nations, promote international cooperation, and ensure world peace. He explained that although the ROC lost its UN seat in 1971, the nation still acts in accordance with the principles set forth in the Constitution, strives to comply with UN rules and regulations, and works to fulfill its responsibilities as a member of the international community.
Commenting on the ROC's relations with the international community, President Ma said that the nation only has diplomatic ties with 22 countries, but still pursues "viable diplomacy" as it works in a pragmatic and rational manner to expand room for Taiwan in the international community. He added that quite a few substantive achievements have been seen to date as a result. In addition, he said, the government is working to improve cross-strait relations, noting that since he took office in 2008 the two sides have signed 21 agreements. The heads of the agencies on both sides responsible for cross-strait affairs have made three reciprocal visits this year, he remarked, pointing out that cross-strait relations are at their best state in over 60 years.
President Ma also mentioned that since 2009 the head of Taiwan's health authority has been invited by the World Health Organization for six consecutive years to lead a delegation to the World Health Assembly as an observer. In addition, he pointed out, in September 2013 the derector-general of Taiwan's Civil Aeronautics Administration was invited by the International Civil Aviation Organization to attend the 38th Assembly as a special guest. President Ma expressed hope that the ROC can continue to participate in a meaningful manner in activities held by UN organizations.
On the topic of global warming and climate change, the president stated, even though Taiwan is not a signatory to the Kyoto Protocol or the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, it will still fulfill its duty as a member of the international community, keep in step with international trends, and comply with related standards. For instance, he said, Taiwan has laid out plans to reduce its carbon emissions in 2020 and 2025 to the levels seen in 2005 and 2000, respectively. This, he stated, fully exhibits Taiwan's determination to fight climate change.
President Ma noted that the ROC strives to act as a provider of humanitarian aid in the international community. He pointed out that Taiwan has over 30 technical missions around the world actively helping developing nations to achieve the UN's Millennium Development Goals and a post-2015 development agenda.
President Ma remarked that the ROC is also actively taking part in a number of international activities that are closely watched around the world. For example, the ROC has helped fight the spread of the Ebola virus by donating 100,000 sets of personal protective equipment in November and transporting them to West Africa, he said. The president added that the ROC also donated US$1 million to the US CDC Foundation to help fight the virus. In addition, the government since last year has also actively cooperated with international non-governmental organizations and governments in the Middle East to help refugees fleeing the ISIL movement by donating 350 pre-fabricated structures at refugee camps in northern Iraq. The president stated that the value of this aid comes to nearly US$7.1 million, and that these charitable gestures by the ROC have been applauded throughout the world.
Lastly, President Ma stressed that the ROC will continue to deepen ties with other nations, international bodies, and private organizations so as to increase its international participation and become an indispensable member of the international community.
The delegation included Dr. Tapio Kanninen from the Ralph Bunche Institute for International Studies at the Graduate Center of The City University of New York, Dr. Courtney B. Smith from the School of Diplomacy and International Relations at Seton Hall University, Dr. Basilio Monteiro from the Mass Communication Department of the College of Professional Studies at St. John's University, Main Representative at UN Headquarters Jeffery Huffines of the World Alliance for Citizen Participation, Partner Coordinator Kate Brown at the Global Island Partnership, Executive Director and Founder Tara DePorte of the Human Impacts Institute, and Executive Director Farooq Ullah of the Stakeholder Forum for a Sustainable Future. The delegation was led by Professor Andrew J. Nathan of the Department of Political Science at the Columbia University.