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進入《TAIPEI TIMES 焦點》 Tsai elaborates on ‘southbound policy’
President Tsai Ing-wen, right, talks to American Institute in Taiwan Director Kin Moy at the Conference on Southeast Asian Studies at National Chengchi University in Taipei yesterday. Photo: Huang Yao-cheng, Taipei Times
‘PEOPLE-CENTRIC’: The president said that programs would increase the flow of talented people between Taiwan and the rest of Asia, and simplify visa applications
By Stacy Hsu / Staff reporter
The government’s “new southbound policy” was prompted by the need for Taiwan to redefine its role in Asia’s development as the whole world is rebalancing to the region, President Tsai Ing-wen （蔡英文） said yesterday, while elaborating on the differences between her policy and those of her predecessors.
Tsai made the remarks in a speech at National Chengchi University in Taipei, which is hosting the two-day 18th Annual Conference on Southeast Asian Studies, titled: “The Politics of Transformation in Southeast Asia: Towards a People-Centered Agenda.”
“Transformation is indeed a keyword when we speak of this region,” Tsai said. “Over the past centuries, nations in Southeast Asia have transformed in major ways. Many have become sovereign states, multicultural societies and free-market economies that are growing quickly.”
These transformations add up to a region that is gaining enormous global influence politically, economically and culturally, which seemingly encourages the entire world to steer toward Asia, she said.
Stressing the need for Taiwan to respond to the changes, Tsai said there needs to be a redefinition of the nation’s role in Asia’s development to advance Taiwan’s interests and also those of the region.
Tsai said past policies gave priority to business interests, while her administration is focusing on building wide-ranging links with Southeast and South Asian nations that go beyond economics and trade.
“At the same time we will also build mechanisms for wide-ranging dialogue to foster consensus on cooperation, and reduce barriers and conflicts,” Tsai said, adding that her administration intends to cooperate with nations in the areas of talent cultivation, agricultural development and “new” energy.
The president said an important element of the policy is a “people-centered agenda,” which she said will be carried out through programs that expand the flow of talent between Taiwan and the rest of Asia.
Tsai said the government is seeking to simplify visa applications for a number of ASEAN members and has allocated NT$1 billion （US$31.9 million） to fund opportunities, such as supporting more than 10,000 young Taiwanese to work and study in Southeast Asia and enabling second-generation immigrants to visit their parents’ home nation to learn the language.
Tsai said that she hopes to increase the number of Southeast Asian and South Asian students in Taiwan by 20 percent per year, with the ultimate goal of reaching 60,000 students by 2019.
“As vital members of the Asia-Pacific region, we have a joint obligation to shape this region in ways that further peace, stability and the prosperity of our countries,” she said. “The possibilities before us are truly exciting. Let us work together to fulfill them.”
American Institute in Taiwan （AIT） Director Kin Moy said that Taiwan plays an indispensable role in Asia and has made a tremendous contribution to regional development, including increasing economic prosperity, as well as promoting the rule of law, good governance and democracy.
“As [US] President [Barack] Obama said, a united, integrated and effective regional multilateral architecture is a force of stability, prosperity and peace,” Moy said, adding that the US admires Taiwan’s contributions and would continue to support its bids for further international space.
新聞來源：TAIPEI TIMES
