In line with President Lai Ching-te’s values-based diplomacy and vision for a country on which the economic sun never sets, and with coordination provided by Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung, a Taiwan trade delegation traveled to the Philippines from August 25 to 30. The visit was made possible by close collaboration between the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in the Philippines and the Manila Economic and Cultural Office. The delegation was jointly led by Deputy Minister of Agriculture Huang Chao-chin; Chairman Joseph Lyu of CIECA, Taiwan; and Executive Vice President Lotta Danielsson of the US-Taiwan Business Council (USTBC).
The visit demonstrated how Minister Lin’s policy of integrated diplomacy is connecting the Taiwan-Philippines Economic Corridor with the Luzon Economic Corridor, a project launched by the Philippines, the United States, and Japan. It also underscored joint efforts by Taiwan and the United States to bolster cooperation in third countries. The trip was a pivotal breakthrough in expanding Taiwan’s diplomatic presence and deepening its strategic partnership with the Philippines.
Since assuming office, Minister Lin has actively advanced Taiwan-Philippines relations. With the support of President Lai and the Executive Yuan, the government established the Executive Yuan economic diplomacy task force and the Taiwan-Philippines task force. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) has integrated resources across agencies and departments to promote cooperation between Taiwan and the Philippines in such areas as ports, shipping, new energy, smart agriculture, and semiconductors. In addition to synergizing government policies, MOFA has leveraged the strengths of the private sector in technology, manufacturing, AI, and smart solutions to create a novel flying geese paradigm with a combined fleet and launch the Team of Teams Platform. This collaboration facilitates joint efforts by the government and private sector to enhance Taiwan’s economic and trade networks as well as its diplomatic space.
Taiwan is one of the top 10 trading partners of the Philippines, and the economies of the two countries are highly complementary. After months of preparation, MOFA successfully organized this trade delegation to promote the Taiwan-Philippines Economic Corridor under the Diplomatic Allies Prosperity Project and implement the objectives of the Taiwan-US Economic Prosperity Partnership Dialogue. The trip was also facilitated by a memorandum of understanding between CIECA and the USTBC signed in May. It advanced the Taiwan-US goal of boosting development in third countries.
The delegation paid special visits to key areas of the Luzon Economic Corridor and explored a range of investment and cooperation opportunities in the Philippines. In addition to participants from the Ministry of Agriculture, CIECA, and the USTBC, the delegation included members of the Taiwan Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers’ Association, SEMI, the CNFI, and the National Innovation and Entrepreneurship Association. They represented a wide range of industries and supply chains—from ICT, semiconductors, energy, AI and smart manufacturing to port facilities, smart agriculture and livestock, cold chain logistics, food processing, and tourism.
The delegation’s visit not only underscored the determination of Taiwan and the Philippines to create coprosperity, it also marked a significant milestone in the deepening of economic and trade exchanges and cooperation between Taiwan, the Philippines, and the United States. MOFA will continue to promote bilateral cooperation with the Philippines in the domains of semiconductors, AI, smart agriculture, and new energy, leveraging Taiwan’s technological advantages and the Philippines’ talent and labor resources to jointly support non-red supply chains and build a democratic, free, and economically prosperous first island chain alliance. (E)
