Ph, Taiwan ties remains strong on 9th anniversary of New Southbound Policy

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The Philippines and Taiwan continue implementing cooperation initiatives as the latter marks the 9th year of its New Southbound Policy where the former is a key partner.

In his remarks at the National Day Reception of the Republic of China in Makati City on October 8, Taipei Economic and Cultural Office representative Wallace Minn-Gan Chow said the New South Bound Policy initiatives with the Philippines cover a wide range of sectors.

These are in trade and investment, agriculture, medicine and public health, science and technology, human resources incubation, tourism, overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), humanitarian assistance and disaster response, combating crimes and human trafficking, etc.

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Chow expressed gratitude to, and commended the contribution of, the 155,000 plus OFWs in Taiwan and assured that his government “will take good care of them and continue to review our labor rules to further safeguard and promote migrant workers’ benefits and rights.”

Chow also acknowledged the OFWs’ tremendous contribution to Taiwan’s economic development due to their ability, diligence, and excellent skills aa most of them are working in high-tech industry.

(From left): Atty. Tomas M. Guno, Director of MECO, delivering speech, Mr. Wallace Minn-Gan Chow, Representative of TECO in the Philippines, delivering remarks, & Ms. Cheloy Velicaria-Garafil, Chairperson and Resident Representative of MECO giving remarks via video message. Photo from TECO

Chow noted Taiwan occupies a strategic position on one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes, Taiwan Strait, which is of key interest to the Philippines.

“Taiwan’s advanced supply chains hold the key to the next generation of technological development. Taiwan’s security is closely related to and mutually dependent on global stability and prosperity. Anything that happens to Taiwan could send ripples through the entire globe,” he said.

Chow quoted President Marcos Jr.’s keynote address at the International Institute for Strategic Studies’ Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore last May, where he said “`By virtue of geographic proximity and the presence of Filipinos in Taiwan, we have a legitimate interest in cross-strait issues. The Filipino people have a long history of fraternal bonds with the people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait. Peace and stability must prevail. Therefore, we continue to urge all parties to exercise restraint on the issue.’”

“The government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) welcomes joint efforts with the international community to ensure peace, defend democracy, freedom, the rule of law, and maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific and looks forward to closer cooperation with like-minded partner countries, including the Philippines,” Chow said.

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