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Published Date: 2016-11-28
Foreign Minister David Lee
Foreign Minister David Lee says Taiwan should actively participate in an Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) free trade area. (Photo by CNA)
Foreign Minister David Lee says Taiwan should actively participate in an Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) free trade area. He made the remarks during a report on Monday at the legislature about Taiwan’s participation in this year’s APEC leaders’ summit in Lima, Peru.
Lee was speaking about the Free Trade Area of the Asia Pacific (FTAAP) which forum participants endorsed prior to the summit’s conclusion on November 20.
Lee said the plan is incapable of solving complex economic and political situations in the Asia Pacific region. However, he said the FTAAP can maintain the momentum needed for regional economic integration.
Lee said Taiwan should actively participate in APEC’s integration plans in the future.
“In the face of the trend of regional economic integration, Taiwan must speed up trade liberalization, adjust its industry structure and strengthen trade competitiveness," said Lee.
Meanwhile, Economics Minister Lee Chih-kung said Taiwan talked to eight APEC member countries about economic integration at the APEC summit.