Premier Cho Jung-tai on Thursday received a delegation from the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association's Taipei Office, led by Chief Representative Katayama Kazuyuki. The premier expressed gratitude to the Japanese government for its longstanding support of Taiwan, and said he looks forward to Chief Representative Katayama's help in seeking further government support to facilitate Taiwan's bid to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and other international institutions. Membership would enable Taiwan to have a voice for itself on the international stage and become a dedicated contributor to the global community.
The premier thanked Japan's government and people for their longtime support and assistance. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Japan took the initiative to donate vaccines to Taiwan, and, on many important international occasions, the Japanese government has reiterated that the international community shares a consensus on the maintenance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. In addition, after the earthquake that struck Hualien County on April 3, the Japanese government pledged a donation of US$1 million to aid disaster relief.
Premier Cho emphasized that people-to-people exchanges between Taiwan and Japan have made good progress and expressed hope that more Japanese tourists will visit Taiwan. He is confident that enhanced bilateral cooperation and exchanges between Taiwan and Japan will help promote regional peace and stability, as well as economic development.
In his remarks, Chief Representative Katayama said Japan and Taiwan not only share fundamental values, but in times of natural disasters and difficulties, our respective governments and peoples immediately offer the side in need heartfelt condolences and generous donations. Both sides have made considerable progress in economic, cultural, and civil exchanges, he said, while peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait is also a shared issue of concern, adding that no side should use force to unilaterally alter the status quo.
Chief Representative Katayama said Japan attaches great importance to its relations with Taiwan. Taiwan is an important and indispensable partner and friend, and Japan looks forward to the continued development of bilateral relations.