Taiwan and Korea: Forging ahead together

The following article was contributed by Liang Ying-ping, representative of the Taipei Mission in Korea, on the occasion of the 102nd National Day of the Republic of China (Taiwan), which falls on Oct. 10. ― Ed.


Today is the 102nd National Day of the Republic of China (Taiwan). Each year, this is a time for us to celebrate the birth of our nation, and people in Taiwan and other predominantly ethnic-Chinese communities the world over are commemorating the great Double 10th National Day.

On behalf of my government in Taipei, and as the Representative of Taipei Mission in Korea, I take this occasion to salute the people of the Republic of Korea, and also to send my heartfelt felicitation to our brethren resident in Korea.

Even though the Republic of China and Republic of Korea no longer share diplomatic relations, our ties go far back in modern history. The Republic of China took the lead in recognizing Korea’s government-in-exile in 1919 when Japan occupied the peninsula. The Republic of China in Taiwan was also among the first to aid South Korea at the time of the North Korean invasion.

Today, just as Korea, Taiwan stands as a beacon of freedom, democracy and prosperity in a region still troubled by the shadow of war and financial difficulties. Taiwan’s strong democratic institutions and its vibrant economy stand as proof of what the region can accomplish in freedom.

Despite its tiny land size and scarcity of natural resources, Taiwan has grown to be a major economic powerhouse in the region. Products made in Taiwan and technology that drives Taiwan’s hi-tech industries have become world leaders in the global marketplace. From semiconductors to tablet PCs, from smartphones to photovoltaic equipment, Taiwan’s frontier technology and research has propelled its energy conservation and carbon emission reduction field into a premier position globally.

These achievements would have been inconceivable without help from the base of economic prowess and stability ascribable to free political institutions.

In the last five years of peace and reconciliation in relations across the Taiwan Strait, it has been possible for Taiwan to use its economic resources and valuable development experience for the benefit of less developed nations in Africa and Latin America. Today, Taiwan’s experts from agriculture to business management are scouring the world providing development expertise to newly developing countries.

Politics continues to stand in the way of its participation in many international organizations, and yet that has not stopped it from playing the role of humanitarian and economic aid provider to third world nations. In the name of a “viable diplomacy,” Taiwan is making use of its reconciliation in cross-strait relations to substantiate its role as a builder of peace through efforts to help reduce poverty and promote prosperity in the world’s poorest regions. In East Asia itself, the cross-strait peace has been essential to maintaining stability in Northeast Asia’s security.

As for our relations with mainland China, more than two years of negotiations finally paid off in the signing of the Cross-Strait Trade in Services Agreement on June 21. The agreement calls for the opening of the market to services in 11 areas, passing a new milestone in the realization of the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement.

Services constitute one of the pillars supporting Taiwan’s economy, and the expansion of service exports will boost the country’s economic growth. Given the vital influence of culture and localization on services, Taiwan’s service providers have a lot more room to develop in the mainland’s services market than do Western providers. The signing of the agreement, which is subject to legislative approval, gives Taiwanese providers access to preferential treatment that exceeds the conditions for entering the Chinese services market under its WTO commitments, facilitating expansion of their operating scope and economic scale.

We intend to accelerate the pace of follow-up negotiations under the ECFA in order to expand and deepen all aspects of cross-strait ties. We will also seek to further loosen restrictions on investments from mainland China, and will further open our borders to mainland students and independent travelers. To this end, we will soon begin a comprehensive review of the “Act Governing Relations Between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area” and amend it to eliminate certain out-of-date restrictions and discriminatory provisions.

In addition, we will promote the establishment of offices in each other’s territory so as to better serve the needs of the several million people who travel across the Taiwan Strait each year. This will also lay a stronger foundation for the institutionalization of peaceful cross-strait ties.

In the spirit of viable diplomacy, the ROC’s U.N.-related initiatives focus on meaningful participation in U.N. specialized agencies and mechanisms that address issues pertaining to the welfare of its people and its national development. While full membership in the United Nations currently remains distant, the ROC is seeking every practical and innovative means of gaining meaningful participation. The government’s adoption of this pragmatic approach has enabled it to take part in a greater number of international forums than before. In particular, the ROC has been invited to the WHA as an observer for five consecutive years since 2009.

The government is following the same approach in seeking participation in other U.N. specialized agencies and mechanisms, with particular focus on the International Civil Aviation Organization and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. And this year, our delegation has been invited for the first time to attend the 38th assembly of the ICAO convened on Sept. 24 to Oct. 4 as a special guest of the president of the ICAO Council.

Taiwan’s attendance at the assembly marks an important step forward in its bid for meaningful involvement in the ICAO. This attributes to Taiwan’s long-term commitment to international aviation standards and safety. Due to improvements in cross-strait relations over the past few years and frequent exchanges between the peoples of the two sides, direct flights between Taiwan and mainland China have increased to 670 flights per week, creating conditions favorable to Taiwan’s substantive participation in the ICAO. In addition, the support and assistance given for Taiwan by its diplomatic allies and other members of the international community have also helped the ICAO understand the need for Taiwan to be included in the international civil aviation community. The ROC government is very grateful for this support and assistance.

The Taipei FIR is an indispensable link in East Asia’s busy air traffic network. Taiwan’s participation in the Assembly will help enhance its capacity in aviation safety, flights control services, and aviation standards. Taiwan would like to take advantage of this opportunity at the ICAO Assembly to boost its cooperation with the international civil aviation community and contribute to aviation safety, so as to assist ICAO in realizing a seamless global aviation network.

Although Taiwan has yet to be permitted to participate as an observer in the UNFCCC process, it still aspires to be a part of global efforts toward climate change mitigation and adaptation. To this end, Taiwan has decided to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by at least 30 percent relative to the business-as-usual benchmark by 2020, and has drafted a GHG Reduction Bill that will soon be put through the legislature.

There is an urgent need to combat this worrying trend together, yet it is only with the help of the global community that Taiwan can have any hope of doing so. The UNFCCC is a key instrument to deal with climate change. We are prepared and eager to participate in the global climate regime and help safeguard our planet. We would therefore very much appreciate Korean support for our bid to participate in the UNFCCC-COP meetings as an observer. By the same token, the UNFCCC also needs Taiwan’s cooperation to make its global campaign complete and successful.

In Asia, Taiwan and Korea work together to broaden collaborations. On June 10th, EVA airlines began its direct scheduled air services between Kaohsiung, the second largest city in Taiwan, and Incheon. In addition, on Sept. 1, China Airlines launched flight services between Taoyuan and Busan. All this boosts people-to-people exchanges and understanding. In view of our continually growing trade, it is also imperative that we begin a feasibility study of a free trade agreement between our two nations.

In the course of long historical relations, Taiwan and Korea have held firmly to their bond of friendship and trust. Based on the current level of goodwill and cooperation, I have no doubt that more substantial relations can evolve in the years ahead for the mutual benefit of Taiwan and South Korea.

By Liang Ying-ping 
Representative of Taipei Mission in Korea