President Tsai meets Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association Chairman Mitsuo Ohashi
During her meeting on the morning of September 27 with Chairman Mitsuo Ohashi of the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association, President Tsai Ing-wen thanked the association for its long-term efforts to enhance bilateral relations, and expressed hope that Taiwan and Japan can develop an even closer partnership.
In remarks, President Tsai noted that the former Japan Interchange Association was renamed the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association (JTEA) this year, and under Chairman Ohashi's leadership the organization has continued to carry out a wide range of exchange activities. Not long ago, said the president, the chairman presented her with a copy of the February 2017 edition of My Resume, a regular monthly feature in The Nikkei daily news that focuses on a selected person's life story. The February 2017 edition tells Chairman Ohashi's story, sharing his thoughts about his childhood, schooling, experience in corporate management, participation in public affairs, and his work to promote Taiwan-Japan relations. The president found the story both informative and enlightening.
President Tsai also stated that, as Chairman Ohashi has said, economic, trade, and cultural ties between Taiwan and Japan are growing stronger all the time, and she expressed confidence that this is due to more than just the deep bonds of friendship between the people of the two countries. It is also the product of years of hard work by the JTEA.
The president specially thanked the JTEA for its support and efforts. She noted that the Japanese government has expressed support for Taiwan's participation in international bodies on numerous occasions, most notably during the World Health Assembly earlier this year. The people of Taiwan are well aware of that gesture, she said, and have taken it to heart.
President Tsai once again stressed that Taiwan has both the ability and a duty to participate in international affairs. As a member of the global village, Taiwan's government is happy to share Taiwan's democratic experience, economic achievements, and technical prowess with the international community, and Taiwan will not turn its back on today's global challenges. In response to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Taiwan recently released its first Voluntary National Review to demonstrate its determination to meet the SDGs and participate in international initiatives.
President Tsai also mentioned that Taiwan is actively working to implement the New Southbound Policy to promote cooperation with the nations of ASEAN and South Asia. Noting that she discussed this matter last year with Chairman Ohashi, the president voiced hope that more Japanese companies with a positive outlook on Southeast and South Asia can work with Taiwan to tap into the competitive strengths of their respective industries, and generate increased business opportunities in emerging economies.
And finally, President Tsai stated that Taiwan hopes to build on the foundation of long-term cooperation between Taiwan and Japan to become a more prominent participant in the regional economic integration process, including the Trans-Pacific Partnership. Taiwan also hopes to sign an economic partnership agreement with Japan so that bilateral exchanges can become deeper and more comprehensive, and foster an even closer bilateral partnership.