Minister Wang Kwo-tsai (center) of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications shares Taiwan’s experience in maintaining operations despite COVID-19’s impact during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting for transportation ministers May 16 in the U.S. city of Detroit. (Courtesy of MOTC)
 

Minister of Transportation and Communications Wang Kwo-tsai attended the 11th Transportation Ministerial Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum held May 16 in the U.S. city of Detroit.

During the event, Wang provided a review of Taiwan’s accomplishments in enhancing supply chain resilience and maintaining air and maritime transportation while ensuring economic growth despite the negative impact of COVID-19.

According to the ministry, Wang also detailed government policies in promoting infrastructure development. These included major projects such as the third terminal and runway planned for Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, and a seventh container terminal soon to be inaugurated at the Port of Kaohsiung.

Another highlight of Wang’s APEC trip was his meeting with U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg to exchange views on sectors including green maritime transportation, electric vehicle supply chains, unmanned aerial vehicle and railway safety. The two sides pledged to maintain close contact and seek ways to expand related cooperation, the MOTC said.

Wang also took the opportunity to meet with senior officials from Vietnam. The two sides agreed to reinstate exchanges on related policymaking and technologies that were first undertaken based on a memorandum of understanding concluded in 2015.

Since joining APEC in 1991, Taiwan has made substantial contributions in areas such as disaster prevention, food security, information and communications technology, small and medium enterprise development and women’s economic empowerment. (SFC-E)