Trade Agreement Was at the Forefront of Discussions at Taiwan Luncheon

Johnny Chi-Chen Chiang, Taiwan’s information minister, addressed guests at a luncheon sponsored by the OPC and the Carnegie Council by saying trade is Taiwan’s lifeline “so we cannot allow ourselves to become economically marginalized.”

The luncheon took place on July 13, about two weeks after Taiwan signed a trade agreement with China. Chiang said the agreement is a giant step forward in overcoming Taiwan’s economic isolation, building trade, and speeding the integration of Asia. The trade deal slashes tariffs on a range of products and pushes the economies closer, in an effort to ease political hostilities across the Taiwan Strait. Chiang said the government now plans to hold talks with Taiwan’s other trading partners in a push to become more integrated into the global economy.

OPC President Allan Dodds Frank introduced Chiang and many OPC members were in attendance and asked questions like AP U.N. Bureau Chief Edith Lederer and Board Member Toni Reinhold, Editor in Charge at the Business Editing Desk for Reuters.

Chiang began his speech by thank the OPC for making the program possible and for the work the Club does in promoting international understanding and international education.

A transcript and video of his entire speech are available online, excerpts can be found on the Carnegie Council’s Youtube page with the topics on maintaining democracy in Taiwan, China’s aging population and Google and China and Taiwan relations.

Wire services contributed to this report.