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TAEF BRIEF
April 28, 2023
No. 109 |
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CONTENT
-TAEF Updates
-TAEF Media Gallery
-TAEF Commentaries
-New Southbound Policy News
-Regional Headlines |
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New Southbound and New Immigrants Policy Forum |
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April 14, 2023
TAEF recently presented with the National Immigration Agency Chiayi City Services Center, Bureau of Consular Affairs Chiayi Office, Executive Yuan Yunlin-Chiayi Tainan Joint Services Center and Chiayi City Government Family Services Center for New Immigrants "New Southbound and New Immigrants Policy Forum," gathering new immigrants from the Yunlin-Chiayi-Tainan area to share new immigrant culture and government bureaus, non-profit organizations, experts and new immigrant representatives to analyze new immigrant and new second generations' current situation and potential for Taiwan's development from the perspective of the New Southbound Policy.
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NSP Resilient Talent Project—On Mass Media with Toh Jin Xuan |
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In late 2022, the Taiwan-Asia Exchange Foundation initiated the New Southbound Policy (NSP) Resilient Talent Project. The series goes into various fields and industries in Taiwan, uncovering the stories of NSP policy workers, new immigrants, their children, and NSP forces working in Taiwan. Through their sharing, we hope to better understand, from their groundwork experience, how the NSP has opened up Taiwan's Southward exchange and the associated opportunities and challenges.
Toh Jin Xuan is the editor of the Southeast Asian desk at the News Lens. Since the implementation of the New Southbound Policy, he has been reporting on Southeast Asia. The journalist has also noticed that Taiwanese society has become more aware of developments in Southeast Asian countries. Toh hopes that more Southeast Asian media will cover news in Taiwan so that communication can go both ways. Looking forward, Toh Jin Xuan suggests that the government offer more scholarships to Southeast Asian students in order to nurture more talent in communications. Taiwan's freedom of speech can be a competitive edge that allows international students to understand issues from different perspectives.
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TaiwanPlus
South China Sea Dispute: Is Resolution or Escalation More Likely?
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April 18, 2023
-Dr. Sana Hashmi, Postdoctoral Fellow, Taiwan-Asia Exchange Foundation
In an interview with TaiwanPlus, Sana Hashmi, a postdoc fellow at TAEF, commented on the recent declaration of a no-fly zone by the PRC for the purposes of a rocket launch. She argued that while the declaration indicates the PRC's desire to have leverage over Taiwan, it also indicates that there is an open channel of communication between the PRC and Taiwan. Furthermore, Dr. Hashmi explained that the South China Sea is valuable to China for its economic and strategic value. She suggested that while Taiwan would likely not abandon its claims in the South China Sea, Taiwan also won't press them. Dr. Hashmi argued that the chaos created by China in the South China Sea has also succeeded in preventing a unified response by Southeast Asian countries to this dispute. Finally, she suggested that to combat the risk of conflict in the South China Sea, ASEAN would have to step up and have a unified response to China's aggression.
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NEW SOUTHBOUND POLICY NEWS |
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Taipei Times
Taipei to Host Thai Festival
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April 22, 2023
Taipei will host a festival to promote Thailand's culture in order to improve Taiwan-Thailand ties and boost tourism and trade according to the Thailand Trade and Economic Office in Taipei. With the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions, Thailand hopes to invite Taiwanese tourists back to the country. The event will feature traditional performances, Thai boxing and cooking demonstrations, and displays by a Thai handicraft fashion brand.
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Taipei Times
Southeast Asian Language Program a Success: Official
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April 20, 2023
The Ministry of Education said that its Southeast Asian language program has succeeded in teaching about 30,000 students in 700 classes, covering a range of Southeast Asian languages to those interested in visiting, studying and doing business in the region. The program, meant to promote the government's New Southbound Policy, has been especially popular for students of Vietnamese. As Southeast Asia's economic importance grows, the government hopes to continue expanding Taiwanese understanding of the region.
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Taiwan News
Taiwan Shoemaker Pledges NT$8 Billion Investment in India
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April 19, 2023
The shoemaker Pou Chen has announced that it is investing in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu to set up a non-leather footwear manufacturing unit, pledging NT$8.42 billion in the establishment of a memorandum of understanding with the Tamil Nadu government. Pou Chen is expected to work closely with the government on infrastructure development and the project is expected to provide 20,000 employment opportunities.
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Taipei Times
Quanta Eyes New Vietnam Plant
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April 18, 2023
Quanta Computer Inc will invest US$50 million, approved by the board of directors, in a new Vietnamese subsidiary. The company hopes to diversify its bases of production and improve its supply chain resiliency. Quanta already has a manufacturing hub in Thailand and this new facility is intended to produce notebook computers and consumer electronics. The new facility is intended to take advantage of Vietnam's plentiful labor supply, following other electronic makers who have expanded their manufacturing into Vietnam.
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Bangladesh Holding Free Trade Talks with 11 Countries: PM Hasina
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April 20, 2023
In an exclusive interview with Nikkei Asia, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina outlined Bangladesh's discussions on free trade agreements with 11 countries. As Bangladesh will lose the designation of "Least Developed Country" in 2023, it has taken the initiative to expand its trade relations in an effort to spur economic development.
Experts expect the potential new trade partners could include India, China, and Japan among others. Given how the garment industry makes up a majority of Bangladesh's exports, Hasina hopes to diversify into food processing, digital equipment, and fishing. She emphasized Japan's financial assistance as key to Bangladesh's recent development.
Bangladesh is an attractive economic partner because of its rapid growth in the last several years. In addition, Bangladesh is a buffer against China, especially with its complex historical relations. Bangladesh could provide a land route to India's northern states. However, Bangladesh still faces concerns about its official reserves and democratic practices.
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The Diplomat
Why the Philippines Is Exposing China's Aggressive Actions in the South China Sea
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April 19
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The Philippine Coast Guard has recently shifted from its focus on patrolling the West Philippine Sea to also exposing the actions of the Chinese Coast Guard and the Chinese Maritime Militia following the incident in February when the CCG shone a laser at a PCG vessel. Because the government wants to avoid the South China Sea be militarized, non-military agencies have taken on the mantle of releasing information about such incidents.
Under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the government has resolved to protect its sovereignty. The PCG's efforts have raised public awareness and support for Marcos's stance. Marcos could also be hoping to gain the solidarity of other Southeast Asian states in disputes with China, push China to comply with international law, and normalize the PCG's initiatives in the West Philippine Sea.
The PCG still faces challenges with this new approach. It needs improved monitoring capabilities, high-level coordination among government agencies, and, most importantly avoid being labeled as a warmonger by China.
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The Diplomat
Pacific Responses to AUKUS a Mix of Unease and Understanding
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April 18, 2023
The most recent announcement on AUKUS this year marks a new stage in Australia's relations with its Pacific neighbors.
Unsurprisingly, China has pushed back at the deal that is obviously intended to counter Chinese military influence in the region. China's firm response likened AUKUS to a Cold War era deal and described it as a threat to non-proliferation efforts.
While the original announcement of AUKUS was heavily opposed by Pacific states as lacking consultation, the 2023 announcement has followed recalibrations in Australian diplomacy. The Solomon Islands' most recent response focused on reminding Australia of its non-proliferation concerns. Fiji has commented that it respects Australia's sovereignty and that AUKUS does not break Non-Proliferation treaties. However, the smaller Pacific islands have raised questions about why Australia would not devote more attention and resources to combat climate change rather than further militarize the region.
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