《TAIPEI TIMES》Government mulling LEC project

BELT AND ROAD ALTERNATIVE:The Luzon Economic Corridor project seeks to accelerate investment in clean energy, infrastructure, semiconductors and agribusiness

Staff writer, with CNA

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The government is considering the possibility of participating in the Philippines’ Luzon Economic Corridor （LEC） project aimed at driving infrastructure development in the region, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

In a written report sent to lawmakers, the ministry said it is considering working with other nations to participate in the LEC project launched by the US, Japan and the Philippines.

The project, part of the G7’s Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment, seeks to accelerate coordinated investment in infrastructure projects, including rail and port modernization, clean energy, semiconductors and agribusiness.

The LEC is part of the bloc’s efforts to counter China’s Belt and Road Initiative, and Taiwan, a close democratic ally of the US and Japan, has an interest in joining the effort, a diplomatic source said.

Taiwan is thinking about building demonstration farms in the LEC that use smart agricultural technology to promote closer cooperation and boost agricultural production efficiency, the ministry said.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung （林佳龍） on the sidelines of a legislative session on Monday said that the Philippines, Taiwan’s neighbor in the first island chain, is facing similar security challenges as Taiwan, and the two economies are also complementary.

“Taiwan could play a pivotal role in the LEC, and it has started close negotiations with the US and other friendly allies” about potentially joining the project, Lin said.

A fact-finding group consisting of people from the public and private sectors have recently concluded a visit to the Philippines, he said.

He did not identify members of the group, but local media reported that a delegation led by National Development Council Minister Paul Liu （劉鏡清） concluded a three-day visit to the Philippines on Friday last week.

新聞來源：TAIPEI TIMES