Johnny C Chiang
Government Information Office Minister and Cabinet Spokesman of Taiwan
New Delhi
21 November 2010
in order to expand economic opportunities and deal more effectively with the challenges
facing the two nations, JOHNNY C CHIANG, Government Information Office Minister and
Cabinet Spokesman of Taiwan, says in an exclusive interview to RAMESH
RAMACHANDRAN. Excerpts:
Q. How would you describe India - Taiwan relations today? Is there scope for
improvement?
A. India's economic performance and international status are of great importance. It
plays a leading role in South Asia's development, which Taiwan is watching with keen
interest. After decades of little contact, our two countries set up representative offices in
each other's capitals in 1995. Since then, our relations have grown steadily. Two-way
trade has jumped from $ 930 million in that year to $ 5 billion last year, a whopping
increase of 600 per cent. This figure suggests, however, that there is plenty of room for
growth, in view of Taiwan's $ 70 billion worth of trade with Southeast Asian countries and
$ 200 billion with China last year. Besides trade, there are several other areas of
substantive relations that can be deepened. For instance, our government has been
encouraging the Taiwanese business community to invest in India as a way of
diversifying their investments. In addition, we will continue to promote cultural,
educational and academic exchanges between our two countries. Such initiatives can
serve as the foundation for strengthening our relations.
Q. Can the ECFA (Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement) between Taiwan and
China) influence economic relations between Taiwan and India? Are there any plans to
increase India-Taiwan trade and investment?
A. The ECFA is truly historic, as it will promote closer integration of the two economies.
As President Ma Ying-jeou has stated, the agreement will make Taiwan a "springboard"
for foreign investment in China. It is also a prelude to similar trade deals between
Taiwan and other Asian nations. To enhance our economic relations, Taiwan and India
have signed aviation and investment agreements. We are also in the process of
negotiating a double taxation avoidance agreement. Further, at an April 23 Cabinet
meeting that focussed on risk management and investment diversification, Premier Wu
Den-yih expressed the view that Taiwan should increase its investment in India.
Recently, our government also approved a $ 174.5-million, three-year programme to help
our enterprises tap emerging markets like India's.
Q. How do you view the emerging political and strategic relations between India and
Taiwan?
A. The thaw between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait has created new opportunities for
peaceful and harmonious dialogue not only in Asia but in the world as a whole. India,
too, has shown considerable interest in the prospects for development created by this
new situation. We believe there are many areas in which Taiwan and India can work
together to advance peaceful and stable mutual development without political
complications. The improvement of relations and mutual trust across the Taiwan Strait
has created a good opportunity for our countries to reap peace dividends and reinforce
our political and strategic relations.
Q. The ASEAN countries have ministerial-level economic exchanges with Taiwan. Can
India and Taiwan explore the possibility of commencing a similar ministerial-level
exchange? Also, what can India and Taiwan do together, bilaterally, regionally or
internationally, so that the India-Taiwan engagement goes up visibly?
A. Actually, I believe our governments are ready to enhance their ties. Currently, we take
turns holding annual consultative meetings between our deputy economic ministers as
well as between officials concerned with science and technology. We look forward to
upgrading such talks to the ministerial level in order to expand economic opportunities
and deal more effectively with the challenges facing us. Taiwan has adopted a pragmatic
approach to developing its international relations. We are striving to engage in world
affairs through meaningful participation in global organisations such as the World Health
Organisation (WHO) and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), and
activities under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
Such efforts have received the support of major players, such as the United States,
Australia and the European Union. We sincerely hope that India will likewise lend its
support to our participation in global forums.
Q. According to a report from the United States Department of Defence, cross-strait ties
have improved in the past two years. However, China's military build-up has continued
unabated. Your comment?
A. The confrontational atmosphere that had long marked cross-strait relations no longer
exists. Regrettably, however, this has not led to the removal or reduction of the number
of missiles China has deployed against Taiwan. We believe this is not beneficial to
cross-strait relations. We therefore urge China to abandon its military build-up against
Taiwan and remove missiles targeted at us. Only such action can be conducive to further
improvement of cross-strait relations and creation of a peaceful and prosperous
environment.
Q. What is your viewpoint regarding current Taiwan-US relations and the contemporary
Asia-Pacific regional security architecture?
A. Since President Ma took office, relations with the US have been considerably
improved and mutual trust between the two countries' leaderships has been restored.
And because we have striven to improve relations with mainland China, cross-strait
tensions have been significantly reduced over the past two years. In fact, improved
cross-strait relations not only have brought about closer Taiwan-US ties, but have helped
the US to simultaneously maintain good relations with both Taiwan and mainland China.
The US Congress and government agencies have affirmed this development. Taiwan
occupies a strategic position in the chain of islands along the West Pacific rim between
Japan and the Philippines, with very important implications for maritime security. As a
responsible member of the East Asian and global communities, we strive to cooperate in
maintaining regional peace, stability and prosperity. In addition to increases in cross-
strait economic and cultural interaction and tourism, the past two years have seen the
US, Japan and European Union member countries' increasing appreciation of the
political and economic roles Taiwan can play in East Asia, as well as their willingness to
augment political and economic cooperation with Taiwan. This bespeaks Taiwan's
unquestionable importance in East Asia. For our part, we are happy to work with
countries in the region to reduce tensions and advance the cause of global peace and
stability.
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