President Ma Ying-jeou and Vice President Vincent C. Siew met on the afternoon of November 5 at the Presidential Office with the delegation from the ROC that will attend this year's 2009 APEC Economic Leaders' Week. In addition to expressing his appreciation to Lien Chan, Chairman of the National Policy Foundation, for again representing the nation on his behalf at this year's APEC leaders' summit, President Ma also wished the delegation a smooth and successful journey.
The president remarked that the financial tsunami that swept across the globe is gradually retreating and world economies are recovering little by little. President Ma said that the economic background to this year's APEC meetings, which is being held in the middle of November in Singapore, makes the event all the more meaningful. The theme for this year's APEC is "Sustaining Growth, Connecting the Region." This represents a common topic of interest among the leaders of nations in the Asia-Pacific region, he said.
President Ma furthermore noted that Chairman Lien attended the 2008 APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting that was held in Lima, Peru on his behalf. In addition to winning applause for his performance at the event, Chairman Lien, the president said, engaged in interaction with the leaders from the other APEC member states. He took advantage of the opportunity to meet with mainland China's leader and exchange opinions, the president said, adding that Chairman Lien completed his mission very successfully. President Ma explained that he has invited Chairman Lien to once again lead a delegation to the APEC meetings this year and that he has every confidence Chairman Lien's efforts will yield bountiful results.
President Ma noted that this year marks the 20th anniversary of APEC's founding. Economic trends among Asia-Pacific nations are quite different now than in the past, he said. For instance, trade among Asian nations as a percentage of total trade has risen from 37% in 1980 to 57%. An important reason for this is that the number of free trade agreements signed among Asia's 16 main economic entities has risen from just three in 2000 to 56 today. This year, he said, India will sign free trade agreements with Korea and ASEAN. Regional integration among Asian nations is gaining steam, he said. The president expressed his belief that Taiwan cannot allow itself to fall behind, and in fact must strength its efforts to keep in step with international trends.
President Ma stressed that the ROC in recent years has been aggressively promoting the APEC Digital Opportunity Center initiative, thereby assisting APEC nations in establishing digital learning centers. He said that this program has been welcomed by APEC nations. It is highly appropriate for Taiwan to promote digital information in light of the nation's status as one of the world's major manufacturers of information hardware, as well as its rapidly developing software capabilities, he said. President Ma expressed his confidence that this initiative will be of great assistance in reducing the digital divide facing nations receiving this assistance.
The president remarked that Singapore, which is hosting this year's APEC meetings, has long been an important friend of the ROC. While the two countries do not maintain formal diplomatic relations, they have maintained close contact over the years. In particular, high-ranking government officials in Singapore maintain deep friendships with members of Taiwan's ruling and opposition parties, he said. President Ma expressed his hopes that Chairman Lien will be able to take advantage of this opportunity to meet with Taiwan's friends in Singapore, thereby helping to strengthen relations between the two countries. This will also further enable Taiwan's public to understand the efforts of President Ma's administration to secure greater space for Taiwan in the international community. The president said that Taiwan wants to build on its success in joining the World Health Assembly by taking part in the International Civil Aviation Organization and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Besides enabling the world to understand Taiwan's desire to make a contribution to the international community, this will also demonstrate to Taiwan's public the new government's achievements in improving relations with mainland China and with other nations, he said.
Chairman Lien expressed his appreciation to President Ma for taking time out of his busy schedule to meet with him. He commented that APEC has become an important forum for participation and discussion among nations in the Asia-Pacific region. Countries throughout the region have applauded the achievements made by APEC over the years, he said. Chairman Lien remarked that he is aware of the high expectations that people have for him on this trip and the enormous responsibility he shoulders. He said he will do his utmost to carry out his duties in Singapore and hopes to fulfill the mission entrusted to him by the president.