President Ma Ying-jeou (right) greets Hirofumi Takinami, head of a Japanese House of Councilors delegation, at the Presidential Office Jan. 21 in Taipei City.
President Ma Ying-jeou said Jan. 21 that robust exchanges between Taiwan and Japan are testament to continuously strengthening ties and he looks forward to expanded bilateral cooperation going forward.
“Our close relations are illustrated by increased interaction across the areas of culture, economy, tourism and youth,” Ma said. “Such advances reaffirm the special partnership developed between the two countries since I took office in May 2008.”
Ma made the remarks while receiving a House of Councilors delegation led by Hirofumi Takinami at the Presidential Office in Taipei City. The group comprised members of the cross-party Japan-ROC Diet Members’ Consultative Council.
“Two-way economic and trade exchanges have gone from strength to strength over the past seven years,” Ma said. “Bilateral trade totaled US$56.5 billion for the first 11 months of 2014, making Taiwan the fourth largest trading partner of Japan, and Japan Taiwan’s third largest partner.”
The signing of several agreements and cooperation pacts in recent years spanning investment protection, patent approval and open skies played a part in keep ties on a positive track, the president said. “The air travel initiative, in particular, has paid handsome dividends in private sector exchanges, which reached a record high last year, with 1.63 million Japanese tourists visiting Taiwan and 2.97 million ROC nationals travelling to Japan.”
Youth exchanges have also seen significant progress, Ma said, adding that both sides agreed in October last year to increase 2009’s working holiday program annual quota from 2,000 to 5,000. “This step is expected to heighten mutual understanding among the young people of Taiwan and Japan.”
Regarding regional stability, the president lauded a joint fisheries agreement concluded in 2013. “Implemented in line with the East China Sea Peace Initiative, this pact smooths the way for fishermen from both nations to operate in harmony while not undermining sovereignty and territorial claims,” he said. “The development has been well-received internationally.”
Proposed Aug. 5, 2012, by Ma, the five-point initiative urges all parties to refrain from antagonistic actions; not abandon dialogue; observe international law; resolve disputes through peaceful means; and form a mechanism for exploring and developing resources on a cooperative basis.
“Achievements in the East China Sea can become a framework of reference for other countries or regions, enabling all parties to work together for sustainable development,” Ma said. “Taiwan will continue seeking to resolve territorial disputes with its neighbors in accordance with the spirit of the initiative.” (YHC-JSM)
Taiwan Today -
Ma extols virtue of Taiwan-Japan relations
Taiwan wants neither independent or unified,they just want to stay this way until unified become a better way.
