President Ma Ying-jeou met on the afternoon of March 4 with Fidel V. Ramos, former president of the Republic of the Philippines. In addition to recognizing the outstanding contributions former President Ramos made in promoting international affairs, President Ma also expressed hope that the bilateral relationship will continue to expand in the future, benefitting both countries.
In remarks, President Ma stated that former President Ramos enjoys distinguished status internationally, and is admired and respected by countries throughout the world. He was instrumental in the founding of the Boao Forum for Asia and the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA). Upon concluding this visit to Taiwan, he will head to Myanmar, and then attend the Boao Forum for Asia on Hainan Island in early April. President Ma pointed out that former President Ramos has long been an ideal spokesman for the Philippines in the international community, as he embodies the spirit of "Carrying the Philippines around the world."
The president also mentioned that former President Ramos led a delegation to the ROC in February 2009 after leaving office in 1998, and has now visited Taiwan for seven consecutive years. The delegation he is leading this year is the largest yet, numbering over 80 individuals who are leaders in their respective circles. This demonstrates the cordial relationships that Philippine citizens from all walks of life have formed in the ROC, he said.
As for interaction between the ROC and the Philippines, President Ma stated that the two nations have maintained close cooperation in recent years despite not having diplomatic relations. Economic and trade dealings are particularly close, with Taiwan presently serving as the seventh largest trading partner of the Philippines, while the Philippines is the ROC's 11th largest trading partner. Bilateral trade last year reached US$11.6 billion, and as of September last year investment by Taiwan enterprises had exceeded US$2.1 billion, making the ROC the Philippines' ninth largest source of foreign investment. The Philippines has posted particularly strong economic growth in recent years, having grown on average by 6.5% to 7% annually, making it second to none among ASEAN nations. The population of the Philippines has also surpassed 100 million, and the vibrant development of its domestic market has boosted the willingness of Taiwan enterprises to expand their presence there.
President Ma remarked that the ROC and the Philippines should take advantage of cooperative opportunities, and on the basis of mutual benefit, strive to sign an economic cooperation agreement as quickly as possible to strengthen economic and trade cooperation. The president stated that this would also be conducive to Taiwan's efforts to join regional economic integration mechanisms such as the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). In addition, President Ma hopes that as an important RCEP member, the Philippines will firmly support and assist Taiwan's efforts to join the RCEP, so that together we can pursue the greatest wellbeing for the citizens of both nations.
The president also discussed bilateral relations relating to the fishing industry. He made a point to thank former President Ramos for an article that he published in the Manila Bulletin after returning home from a visit to Taiwan last year. In that article, the former president urged the government of the Philippines to quickly bring charges against crew members from the Philippine Coast Guard vessel responsible for shooting at the Taiwan fishing boat Guang Da Xing No. 28, which resulted in the death of one fisherman and damage to the vessel. Through that incident, Taiwan and the Philippines came to understand the importance of bringing some order to the enforcement of maritime law. President Ma noted that the two sides reached a consensus, agreeing to refrain from using force in law enforcement actions, to notify each other prior to such actions, and promptly release detained fishing vessels and crews in case of arrest. These provisions all conform to regulations under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea governing exclusive economic zones. In addition, the consensus that was reached will serve as an important foundation for the signing of an agreement between the two nations in the future on cooperation in the enforcement of laws regarding fishing operations, he said.
President Ma also mentioned that presently 141 nations and areas, including the United States, Japan, and the European Union provide ROC nationals with landing visas or visa-free courtesies, which shows that the international community acknowledges the quality of tourists from Taiwan. The president expressed his hope that the Philippines will make it easier for Taiwan nationals to obtain visas so they will be more willing to make tourist visits, as well as for business and commercial activities, and help foster greater private-sector interaction.
Accompanying former President Ramos to the Presidential Office to meet with President Ma were Manila Economic and Cultural Office Managing Director and Resident Representative Antonio Basilio, and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Simon Shen-Yeaw Ko (柯森耀).