Foreign Minister Jaushieh Joseph Wu addresses participants at a forum marking the fifth anniversary of Taiwan-Asia Exchange Foundation Aug. 9 in Taipei City. (MOFA)
 

Minister of Foreign Affairs Jaushieh Joseph Wu said the government’s New Southbound Policy is helping Taiwan deepen ties with partner countries through experience sharing in areas of strong mutual interest.

The minister made the remarks during his speech at a forum Aug. 9 in Taipei City marking the fifth anniversary of Taiwan-Asia Exchange Foundation. Established in 2018, the TAEF is the first policy-oriented think tank in the country focusing on Southeast Asian and South Asian affairs.

Launched in 2016 by President Tsai Ing-wen, the NSP seeks to enhance Taiwan’s agricultural, business, cultural, education, tourism and trade ties with the 10 Association of Southeast Asian Nations member states, six South Asian countries, Australia and New Zealand.

According to Wu, under the policy initiative, Taiwan’s public and private sectors have shared their success with partner countries in areas including agriculture, climate change adaption, culture and education, green energy development, investment, public health and medicine.

The minister said the TAEF was created to help promote the NSP on the global stage through hosting the annual Yushan Forum and other similar events to enhance cooperation among partner countries.

Equally important, the minister said the think tank has played a key role in initiating policy dialogues and memoranda of understanding with its counterparts in India and Indonesia. It is hoped the TAEF will continue to foster such robust partnerships going forward, he added.

Echoing Wu’s remarks, TAEF Chair Hsiao Hsin-huang outlined progress in its five programs of advancing young leader engagement, civil society connectivity and think tank cooperation, as well as promoting regional resilience and cultural exchange. Building on this strong foundation, Hsiao said the next Yushan Forum will take place in October. (SFC-E)