October 20, 2023

 

 

 

October 11, 2023

 

The 2023 Yushan Forum has officially come to an end. The forum celebrates the triumphs and achievements of the New Southbound Policy (NSP) for the past 7 years and opening conversations of further growth and collaboration in a post-COVID era, with the presence of prominent figures such as U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Kelly Craft, former NATO Deputy Secretary General Alessandro Minuto-Rizzo, and President of the Republic of Nauru Ross Joseph Kun gracing the day.

 

Mr. Hsin-Huang Michael Hsiao, Chairman of Taiwan-Asia Exchange Foundation (TAEF), opened the ceremony by welcoming and thanking the distinguished guests and participants for their attendance and continuous support, especially during the pandemic era. This year marks the 7th edition of the Yushan Forum, with the forum welcoming over 3000 guests and 231 speakers, experts, and civil society leaders from 26 countries. The forum celebrates the achievements of the NSP that have brought numerous opportunities for businesses based in South Asia and Southeast Asia, leading to deepened people-to-people connectivity and strengthening the ties of civil communities - which is what TAEF has long stood for. This year's theme, "Start a New Blueprint for Asian Development," corresponds to the commitment Taiwan has made with partnering countries and the continuous efforts to realize those commitments. TAEF will continue to play a role in fulfilling its mission to foster people-to-people connections in conjunction to the NSP.

 

Her Excellency President Tsai Ing-wen was welcomed to the stage, opening her speech by welcoming the distinguished guests and participants. She stated that with the WHO announcing the end of global emergency status for COVID-19, we are now entering a new era with many new and evolving challenges. With the theme of this year's forum, "Building a new blueprint for Asian development," the forum opens discussions on how our region can adapt and prepare for these challenges. Her Excellency has also mentioned the global attention garnered for the security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region and that security and stability in the Taiwan Strait is a crucial component of the peace and prosperity of the international community. Taiwan's commitment to the stability of the Indo-Pacific region sends a message to the world that in the face of mounting threats against authoritarianism, climate change, and global supply chain restructuring, Taiwan is a secure and reliable partner. Her Excellency closed her statement by stating that the forum plays an important part in the vision of ensuring the prosperity of Indi-Indo-Pacific and wished for a successful and productive forum.

2023 Yushan Forum Spotlight Interview｜President / Co-Founder of Sercomm, Ben Lin

October 17, 2023

Taiwan's New Southbound Policy: A Strategic Triumph

October 8, 2023

 

Taiwan has successfully raised its regional profile, and Taiwan’s foreign policy is no longer solely focused on the West or China. Since 2016, a noteworthy development has been the continuous effort to foster strong relations with its immediate and extended neighbors. 

 

- Dr. Alan Hao Yang, Executive Director & Dr. Sana Hashimi, Postdoctoral Fellow, Taiwan-Asia Exchange Foundation

 

In January 2024, Taiwan will hold its presidential election to choose its next leader. President Tsai Ing-wen, currently in her second term, will soon conclude her tenure as mandated by the constitution's two-term limit. Her tenure has been marked by several noteworthy developments, with one of the most pivotal decisions being the launch of the New Southbound Policy in 2016. This policy was designed to broaden Taiwan’s economic engagement and strengthen its foreign relations. It encompasses eighteen countries from South Asia, Southeast Asia, and Oceania, focusing on eight key target countries.

 

There have been several tangible benefits that Taiwan has achieved through the implementation of the New Southbound Policy. It would not be an overstatement to describe this policy as a holistic approach to Taiwan’s foreign relations. The initiation of this policy has meaningfully enhanced the institutionalization of Taiwan’s engagements with countries to its south, particularly those that had previously received limited attention from Taiwan. Before the initiation of the policy, Taiwan, as an Asian country, had fewer substantial ties or linkages within its geographical region. 

 

The article highlights the success of Taiwan's New Southbound Policy by elevating Taiwan's position on the international stage, broadening its focus from Western countries and China to eighteen other South Asian, Southeast Asian, and Oceania nations through soft power diplomacy strategies.

 

 

President Tsai receives prominent 2023 Yushan Forum participants

October 16, 2023

 

Tsai meets with former Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison

October 10, 2023

 

Taiwan will work with Australia and other like-minded democracies in continuing to bolster security cooperation and upholding regional freedom, President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) said Tuesday when she met with visiting former Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

 

During the meeting at the Presidential Office, Tsai thanked Morrison, who is on his first visit to Taiwan, for his long-standing support for the country. "I anticipate that Taiwan and Australia will further expand cooperation in many areas under the existing foundation," Tsai said, adding that the two countries are "very well matched" in terms of economics and trade.

 

Morrison, meanwhile, highlighted the importance of the partnership between Australia and Taiwan. Bilateral relations exist at many levels, including people-to-people, economic, social and cultural, Morrison said, adding that both nations also have "a great respect for freedom and democracy."

 

"Australia and Australians will always be great friends with the people of Taiwan," the former prime minister said.

 

 

Scholars caution against opening up hospitality sector to migrant workers

October 11, 2023

 

Local scholars cautioned against moving ahead with a recent government proposal to open up the hospitality industry to migrant workers to tackle a staffing shortage, instead urging politicians to solve the root causes of the problem and be aware of the potential threat to local workers' livelihoods.

 

In a recent interview with CNA, Chou Yung-hui (周永暉), director-general of the Tourism Administration, said that Taiwan might have to open up the hospitality industry to migrant workers by the end of the year because of staffing issues.

 

In response to this statement, Hsin Ping-lung (辛炳隆), an associate professor at National Taiwan University's Graduate Institute of National Development, told CNA Wednesday that the government should think twice before going ahead with the proposal. According to Hsin, to solve the staffing issues in the hospitality sector, hotel owners should increase wages, not recruit foreign workers.

 

 

Tourism agency target Vietnamese, while tour operators woo Taiwanese

October 16, 2023

 

The Tourism Administration on Saturday (10/14) said it has stepped up its marketing campaigns in Vietnam amid increased travel between the Southeast Asian nation and Taiwan, while tour operators to Vietnam are chartering direct flights to attract Taiwanese travelers.

In 2018, the number of tourists traveling between the two countries exceeded 1 million, while more than 400,000 Vietnamese tourists visited Taiwan in 2019, administration data showed.

About 190,000 Vietnamese tourists visited Taiwan during the first six months of this year, which is about 95 percent of the level during the same period prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the data showed. Whilst Vietnam has emerged as the fourth-largest outbound destination for Taiwanese tourists, as airlines have increased flights to the Southeast Asian nation. In addition to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, Starlux Airlines, China Airlines and EVA Airways have also launched flights to Da Nang, while VietJet Air has launched flights to Phu Quoc island.