Premier Chen Chien-jen on Monday received a delegation led by Ohashi Mitsuo, chairman of the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association. The premier said that the COVID-19 pandemic and international political developments have made countries gradually realize the importance of economic security; consequently, restructuring global supply chains and deploying updated industrial investment strategies have become vital issues for nations around the world. Premier Chen said he believes Taiwan and Japan's abundant experience of bilateral industrial cooperation affords great potential for deeper cooperation on this issue.
The premier emphasized that Taiwan is actively seeking to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and said that Taiwan performs a vital role in global trade and industrial supply chains, while additionally possessing a highly transparent free market economy which is able to meet the exacting standards of international trade. The premier hopes that Japan will fully support Taiwan's bid to join the CPTPP, since Taiwan's membership would provide a significant fillip to the economic prosperity of the region.
In his remarks, Chairman Ohashi said that during the COVID-19 pandemic, Taiwan and Japan donated masks, vaccines, and other medical supplies and protective equipment to each other, thus enabling both nations to effectively control the spread of the disease. He is grateful and pleased to have witnessed the exchange of goodwill from both sides.
Chairman Ohashi said he is fully aware of the importance of Taiwan's bid to join the CPTPP, and for this reason he began advocating for Japan to support this issue three or four years ago. Until all member nations agree to accept Taiwan's membership, he is ready to continue striving to assist Taiwan's entry into the CPTPP.