President Ma Ying-jeou on August 17 expressed his appreciation to the United States for reiterating prior to a mainland China visit by Vice President Joe Biden that its commitment to the ROC will remain unchanged. In particular, the United States has stated that it will not hold discussions with mainland China on prospective arms sales to Taiwan, and that America's "Six Assurances" to the ROC continue in effect.
President Ma made the statements when meeting with a delegation from the US Congressional US-China Economic and Security Review Commission (USCC) currently on a visit to Taiwan.
The president noted that the USCC is an important advisory body of the US Congress, and its members are appointed by the leaders of the US Senate and House of Representatives. The annual report released by the organization is closely monitored in many circles and serves as reference in the political stances taken by Congressmen, as well as in drafting and passing legislation. President Ma pointed out that in the annual report released last year, the USCC specially recognized the improvement in cross-strait relations and supported enhanced economic and trade ties between Taiwan and the United States.
President Ma commented that the United States is the ROC's most important partner, with the two countries engaging in broad and close cooperation in many fields, including economic affairs, education, and national defense. He stated that the US Congress in 1979 passed the Taiwan Relations Act, which provides guarantees for Taiwan's security and has paved the way for smooth bilateral ties prospering in a safe environment. As mainland China's military expansion has continued, the military balance of power in the Taiwan Strait has tipped in favor of the mainland, which is why the ROC has repeatedly expressed its desire to the United States to acquire F-16C/D fighter jets. The president added that two years ago the ROC proposed upgrades for its F-16A/B fighter jets and stated its need to purchase diesel electric submarines. President Ma reiterated that the ROC's purchases of military weaponry from overseas conforms to three principles, namely, that the items are defensive in nature, that Taiwan only buys what it is unable to produce on its own, and that the procured weaponry is used to replace aging equipment. The arms purchases are not aimed at engaging mainland China in an arms race, he said.
President Ma told the visitors that the ROC is also actively seeking to be included in the US Visa Waiver Program. The ROC, he said, has already responded to the requests made by the US Department of Homeland Security by requiring passport applicants to file their applications in person starting from July 1, 2011. This new policy has been a success over the past month, he said, adding that the percentage of rejected visa applications filed by ROC citizens fell to below 3% last year. President Ma furthermore stated that at present 117 jurisdictions throughout the world have granted ROC nationals visa-free courtesies or landing visas. Each year, people from Taiwan make 410,000 visits to the United States, which is the only remaining major nation that still doesn't grant this treatment to citizens of Taiwan. President Ma noted that the number of Taiwanese visitors to the UK and the European Union grew substantially, as did trade, after those places approved visa-free entry for Taiwanese citizens. He pointed to these examples in urging the US government to provide similar treatment to Taiwanese citizens as soon as possible, thereby helping to promote interaction between people of the two countries.
In discussing cross-strait relations, President Ma explained that Taiwan and mainland China have to date signed 15 agreements, which has effectively reduced tension in the Taiwan Strait. Besides opening up direct flights and shipping, postal links, and trade between the two sides, the number of direct flights each week between Taiwan and mainland China now stands at 558. In addition, an average of over 3,000 tourists from mainland China arrives in Taiwan daily. Even more important, the president said, is that the signing of the cross-strait Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement last year has reduced tariffs that stood at nearly 15% to just 5%. Consequently, the volume of Taiwan agricultural products and light industrial products exported to mainland China has risen significantly. President Ma expressed his belief that the volume of trade between the two sides will receive another boost once tariffs are cut to zero on January 1 next year.
The president also explained that at the same time, the ratio of exports from Taiwan to mainland China as a portion of total exports has not increased too much. Rather, the volume of trade between Taiwan and the United States grew 32% last year, while trade volume with ASEAN nations and the European Union also increased. This indicates that Taiwan's efforts to diversify its export markets are yielding results. Meanwhile, the president stated that Taiwan is discussing economic cooperation agreements with a number of nations, including Singapore, in an effort to actively participate in regional economic integration.
President Ma praised the members of the delegation, saying that they constitute America's top foreign policy experts. He said he hopes that this visit will help them to better understand the recent state of cross-strait relations and developments in Taiwan-US relations. The president also expressed his hope that the members of the USCC will continue to promote relations between the two countries.
The delegation was led by Daniel Slane, Vice Chairman of the USCC, to the Presidential Office to meet President Ma. Also attending the meeting was National Security Council Deputy Secretary-General John C.C. Deng (鄧振中).
【Source: Office of the President】