President Ma Ying-jeou says Taiwan’s participation will make regional economic integration more effective.
Ma was speaking Friday during a meeting with the head of Interchange Association, Japan, Mitsuo Ohashi on Friday. The association is in charge with relations with Taiwan in the absence of official diplomatic ties.
During the meeting, the president said he hopes that Japan will help Taiwan join the Trans-Pacific Partnership and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, two proposed free trade agreements. Ma also emphasized the important role Taiwan could play in an integrated regional economy.
Meanwhile, Ma told Ohashi that the National Palace Museum’s loan of priceless objects, including the famous “Jadeite Cabbage with Insects” and “Meat-Shaped Stone”, to two museums in Japan represents an unprecedented exchange between Japan and Taiwan.
In addition, Ma discussed the state of cross-strait relations with Ohashi, and recent and upcoming meetings between top officials on both sides.