Taiwan Foreign Minister: Philippines is Key Southeast Asian Partner

Taiwan's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Lin Chia-lung, met with leaders of the Philippine Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce, underscoring the Philippines' position as Taiwan's foremost partner in Southeast Asia. The meeting, which included Chamber President Hsieh Chia-chen and 18 other executives, was also attended by National Policy Advisor Lin Chien-sung and Chairman of the Agricultural Credit Guarantee Fund Lai Kun-cheng.

Lin emphasized that the Philippines is Taiwan's primary partner in the region due to the significant overlap in industrial development needs and shared values of democracy, freedom, and the rule of law. He noted the strategic importance of the Philippines, situated adjacent to Taiwan within the first island chain, and highlighted its rich human resources.

To further strengthen ties, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has proposed the "Taiwan-Philippines Economic Corridor" project, aligning with the US, Japan, and the Philippines' "Luzon Economic Corridor." This initiative seeks to deepen collaboration in semiconductor talent training, food security, smart agriculture, port and shipbuilding, and tourism. Lin expressed hope that Taiwanese businesses in the Philippines would leverage their extensive experience to encourage the Philippine government to expedite improvements in its investment environment and protective measures, thereby advancing a "Comprehensive Taiwan-Philippines Partnership."

Representing the chamber, Hsieh Chia-chen pledged that the organization, deeply rooted in the Philippines' mainstream society and overseas Chinese community, would serve as a bridge for mutual interests. The chamber also presented Lin with the "White Paper on Taiwanese Business Investment and Trade - Philippines Edition," a publication co-authored with the Chung-Hua Institution for Economic Research. This act symbolized the chamber's commitment to public-private collaboration in bolstering bilateral relations.