President hopes to sign FTA with Japan
Focus News, Taiwan
President hopes to sign FTA with Japan
11 May 2010
By Garfie Li and Lilian Wu
Taipei, May 11 (CNA) President Ma Ying-jeou said Tuesday that Japan is a major trading partner of Taiwan and that he hopes the two countries can sign a free trade agreement (FTA).
During a meeting at the Presidential Office with Nagayoshi Sumida, president of Japan’s Sankei Shimbun newspaper, Ma also said there is still ample room for the development of bilateral relations.
He noted that since he assumed office two years ago, he has been active in promoting a special partnership with Japan.
"It will be a major step in Taiwan-Japan relations" when Songshan Airport in Taipei establishes direct links with Haneda Airport in Tokyo in October, he said.
A cultural center was established in Tokyo in the latter half of 2009, Ma went on, the main purpose of which is to promote an exhibition of treasures of the National Palace Museum (NPM) in Taipei.
He noted that NPM treasures have been displayed in the United States, France and Germany, but have never been shown in any Asian countries.
"If Japan can complete related legal procedures soon, then the treasures can be displayed in Japan," Ma said.
The president also said that since the thaw in cross-Taiwan Strait tension two years ago, Taiwan has also improved its relations with the United States, Japan and the European Union.
The cross-strait reconciliation, Ma added, has been a positive development for East Asia.
