Premier Jiang Yi-huah today thanked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) for years of hard work promoting viable diplomacy that are now paying dividends for Taiwan.
After hearing the MOFA's report on results achieved under viable diplomacy—a policy first proposed by President Ma Ying-jeou six years ago—the premier highlighted the area of visa treatment. Currently, 140 countries and territories offer visa-free or landing visa privileges to ROC passport holders, demonstrating respect and making travel more convenient for the Taiwanese.
Premier Jiang also pointed to improvements in cross-strait relations and expansion of Taiwan's international space. In July and November 2013, Taiwan respectively signed economic cooperation pacts with New Zealand and Singapore—the ANZTEC (Agreement between New Zealand and the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu on Economic Cooperation) and the ASTEP (Agreement between Singapore and the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu on Economic Partnership).
These two milestone agreements are creating conditions advantageous to Taiwan's bid for membership in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), Jiang added. He asked the MOFA, Ministry of Economic Affairs and other agencies to continue pushing for Taiwan's meaningful participation in international organizations, creating opportunities for Taiwan to be included in international affairs, enhancing Taiwan's image, and winning support from TPP and RCEP member states to help Taiwan integrate into the regional economy.
In its report, the MOFA cited a number of important achievements under viable diplomacy: Taiwan strengthened its ties with diplomatic and non-diplomatic allies, participated pragmatically in international organizations, promoted regional peace, integrated with global and regional economies, fulfilled its international responsibilities, provided humanitarian assistance, expanded citizen diplomacy, and enhanced public services. Looking ahead, the ministry will continue to implement viable diplomacy as an innovative force for sustainable national development.