Chines Taipei Press Conference

Lima, Peru- Today, Dr. Yin Chih-Min, Minister of Economics and Dr. Lee Sus-Der, Minister of Finance of Chinese Taipei (Taiwan) Ministry held a press conference discussing Taiwan´s role in APEC and, more broadly, in trade and investment with Pacific Rim economies. Many of the questions revolved around actual and potential Free Trade Agreements (FTA) of Taiwan, the current economic crisis and China- Taiwan relationships.

Of the 5 FTAs Taiwan has, four are with Latin American nations (El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama), highlighting the significance that Taiwan places in trans-Pacific commerce. With this in mind (as well as Taiwan´s peculiar political status) many questions from the Peruvian press where directed at the newly signed China-Peru FTA. Taiwanese reaction towards this topic was one of mild ignorance with the Ministers stating that they did not know enough details of the agreement to comment. Asked about a potential Peruvian-Taiwanese FTA, the Ministers responded by stating that one would be welcomed and indeed and win-win situation for both economies, but reiterated that there are no talks on such an agreement. They continued by commenting that Taiwan was open and willing to peruse FTAs with any economy provided one would be done under the World Trade Organization framework.

On the current economic crisis, the Ministers commented on several questions regarding Taipei´s current role. Being asked if Taiwan was give money to the IMF to help support economic stimulus (a question based on Japan´s proposed 100 billion USD for the IMF) and if Taipei was perusing other economic stimulus measures, the Ministers responded that to this point Taipei was not prepared to propose money to the IMF but would fulfill its international obligations, and on the domestic front was prepared to help ease up credit and control interest rate. Asked what suggestions they could make to help ease economies out of the current crisis, the Ministers responded that ultimately the decisions where up to government, however advised on increasing government spending - through public works projects - to combat unemployment.

On the topic of cross Straight relationships, the Ministers would not comment too broadly on political issues. Asked if the leaders of the two economies would meet, they states that no meeting was scheduled and that it would be up to the leaders and their staff. They also emphasized that China and Taiwan would both stick to the APEC agenda and they would not cross the line to specifically China-Taiwan issues.

By D.A. Roark