Acting on behalf of President Tsai Ing-wen, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. founder Morris Chang attended the 29th APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting (AELM) in Bangkok, Thailand. He held bilateral talks with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at 16:40 on November 18 local time (Taiwan time 17:40) to exchange views on a wide range of issues of common concern.

During the talks, Representative Chang stated that any time disaster or difficulty occurs, Taiwan and Japan lend each other a helping hand. In the midst of the global pandemic, Taiwan and Japan stepped forward to quickly provide each other medical masks, personal protective equipment, vaccines, and other medical resources. These actions demonstrate the mutual trust and assistance that come from maintaining a close friendship.

The two sides exchanged views on global developments and the outcomes of Taiwan-Japan economic cooperation. Prime Minister Kishida stated that he would continue to deepen bilateral cooperation and exchanges and actively explore all kinds of opportunities between the two countries.

Representative Chang expressed thanks to Japan for reaffirming the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait on many international occasions. He also asked Japan to continue to support Taiwan’s participation in international organizations and key agreements, such as the World Health Assembly, International Civil Aviation Organization, and Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership. Taiwan is wholly willing and able to meet the high standards of the CPTPP; to continue to enhance cooperation with like-minded countries such as Japan; and to jointly uphold and promote peace, stability, and prosperous development across the Taiwan Strait and in the Indo-Pacific region. (E)