Taiwan to push TPP bid at APEC: president

CNA 2014/11/03

Taiwan to push TPP bid at APEC: president

Taipei, Nov. 3 (CNA) — President Ma Ying-jeou said Monday that Taiwan will take the opportunity of attending the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation forum (APEC) Economic Leader’s Meeting to demonstrate its resolve to participate in regional trade blocs such as the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).

Although it is unlikely that much progress will be made on Taiwan’s inclusion in the TPP or the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) by the end of this year, Taiwan could show the world its "determination and sincerity" to be part of regional economies, Ma said.

The key issues to be discussed during upcoming APEC meetings — including advancing regional economic integration — will shed light on Taiwan’s economic development, the president said when he met the country’s delegation before its departure to take part in the summit.

This year, former Vice President Vincent Siew will attend the APEC summit on behalf of Ma.

On a possible meeting between Siew and Chinese President Xi Jinping, Ma said he hopes that if such a meeting can take place, the two sides can discuss opportunities for further cooperation.

According to the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Taiwan wishes to talk with China on issues related to the cross-Taiwan Strait Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement, such as the signing of an agreement to promote goods trading between the two sides.

A Siew-Xi meeting could benefit both cross-strait relations and the economy, Ma said.

He also reiterated the importance of the so-called "1992 consensus" — a tacit agreement between Taipei and Beijing that there is only one China, with each side free to interpret what "one China" means.

Ma expressed hope that such a meeting could help both sides understand that this foundation is not going to change.

The APEC Economic Leaders’ Week, which runs Nov. 5-11, consists of the Concluding Senior Officials’ Meeting Nov. 5-6, the APEC Ministerial Meeting Nov. 7-8, and the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting Nov. 10-11.

(By Claudia Liu and Lee Hsin-Yin)

source : CNA

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