Highlighting Taiwan’s digital economy expertise and boosting regional technology collaboration are among the nation’s top priorities for the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders’ Meeting, according to Morris Chang, representative of President Tsai Ing-wen to the summit.
 
Taiwan stands ready and willing to work with regional partners in addressing challenges resulting from rapid technological development, said Chang, founder and former chairman of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd., the world’s leading contract chipmaker.
 
Related concerns include the widening wealth gap and unemployment, as well as inadequate protections for individual privacy and intellectual property rights, Chang said. Only by working together to find solutions to these issues can the global digital economy progress and prosper, he added.
 
Chang made the comments at a news conference following a meeting with Tsai at the Office of the President Nov. 12 in Taipei City. The TSMC founder said he is honored to represent the president at one of the world’s foremost economic and trade gatherings, this year taking place Nov. 18 in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.
 
Noting that APEC member economies are leading hubs of technological development and manufacturing, Chang said that the summit is a crucial platform for cooperation and dialogue in emerging digital fields.
 
According to Chang, Taiwan is an indispensable link in the global supply chain and plays an important role in information and communication technology innovation. In line with the 2018 APEC theme Harnessing Inclusive Opportunities, Embracing the Digital Future, Taiwan’s delegation will share the many ways in which the nation can help upgrade the digital economy across the Asia-Pacific, he said.
 
Established in 1989, APEC aims to promote regional integration and prosperity through delivering balanced, inclusive, innovative, secure and sustainable growth. Since joining in 1991, Taiwan has made substantial contributions to numerous initiatives spanning such areas as disaster prevention, food security, ICT and women and the economy. (KWS-E)
 
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