Office of the President Republic of China(Taiwan)

On the morning of October 8, President Tsai Ing-wen met with participants attending the Yushan Forum. She stated that the theme of this year's Yushan Forum is Deepening Progressive Partnerships in Asia, and she hopes the forum will cover everything from cooperation in technology, economics, and sustainable development, to further exploring transnational cooperation among civil societies, Asian think tank cooperation, and the cultivation of leaders for the next generation. Taiwan will continue working with all like-minded countries around the world to strengthen our cooperative partnerships and jointly respond to regional challenges and threats, and together, safeguard a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

A translation of the president's remarks follows:

The Yushan Forum serves as an important platform for Taiwan to establish diverse regional dialogues and advance regional prosperity and stability alongside New Southbound countries. I'm delighted that former Prime Minister of Canada Stephen Harper, Ambassador Shivshankar Menon, Chairman of the Advisory Board of the Institute of Chinese Studies in New Delhi, India, and former White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders are able to visit Taiwan for the first time to take part in this event, and share with us their valuable insights and suggestions.

The theme of this year's Yushan Forum is Deepening Progressive Partnerships in Asia, and the agenda is quite impressive. The forum will cover everything from cooperation in technology, economics, and sustainable development, to further exploring transnational cooperation among civil societies, Asian think tank cooperation, and the cultivation of leaders for the next generation. Each of these areas will be crucial to the future direction of development in the Indo-Pacific.

Over the past three years, we have actively promoted the New Southbound Policy, which combines government and private sector capabilities. We are beginning to see outstanding results in tourism, commerce, talent cultivation, healthcare, and agriculture. This policy is creating more mutual trust and opportunities for cooperation through the people-centered values at its heart.

Through the results of our New Southbound Policy, we are deepening our partnerships with countries across the region, a testament to Taiwan's ability and willingness to participate more actively in international affairs.

Taiwan will continue working with all like-minded countries around the world to strengthen our cooperative partnerships and jointly respond to regional challenges and threats. Together, we will safeguard a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

I want to thank all of you once again for participating in this year's Yushan Forum, and wish you all a successful and rewarding forum.

Also present were Jose Rene Almendras, former Cabinet Secretary to the Office of the President of the Philippines; Wichit Srisa-an, former Thailand Minister of Education; Tatang Budie Utama Razak, former Ambassador of Indonesia to the State of Kuwait and current Chief Secretary of the National Board for Placement and Protection of Indonesian Overseas Workers; Ray Novak, Managing Director of Harper & Associates; Chua Tian Chang, Chairman of the Malaysia Productivity Corporation; and Bùi Hoài Sơn, Director of the Vietnam National Institute of Culture and Arts Studies (VICAS).