ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, CONSERVATION, AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

On occasion of the National Day Reception of the Taipei Economic & Cultural Office in the Philippines (October 10, 2002, Manila Hotel, 8:00 pm)

"Ladies and Gentlemen, if I may borrow your native language, Wan-shang! (Good Evening)

I consider it a great honor to be speaking before this illustrious group. In our midst are distinguished leaders in business and politics. I am happy to see here tonight many of our Chinese-Filipino friends whose roots can be traced to both Mainland China and Taiwan. Truly, there is enough room for cooperation and unified action between the two countries on the opposite side of the Taiwan Strait. This occasion gives us reason to hope for an eventual resolution of the China-Taiwan issue.

My deepest gratitude to our friend and Taiwan Representative to the Philippines Honorable Benjamin J.Y. Lo for inviting me to address you. This occasion allows me the opportunity to congratulate you on Taiwan’s Ninety-First National Day. I bring with me a message of friendship and great hope that the strong ties between our peoples will grow more in the coming years.

I have nothing but sincere admiration for the people of Taiwan. During the past century, the Republic of China has stood firm in the face of great adversities. You have admirably upheld your faith in democracy and free enterprise, with full confidence in the land, people, and future development despite numerous challenges and difficulties. Indeed, you have progressed with great courage and perseverance.

Since its founding by the great Sun Yat-sen, the Republic of China had closely tied political and economic freedom. Taiwan today, despite its relatively small land area, is the 22nd largest economy in the world, with one of the highest life expectancy level and per capita income for its 23 million population. This is not only a mark of national success but also a shining illustration of a modern economic miracle worthy of international emulation.

Like the Philippines, Taiwan provides one of the best examples of countries where the choice between types of shoes preceded the choice between candidates for office. Twenty-three million people earned Taiwan a place in the world trend of democracy and freedom. Taiwan began with a focus on economic development and has translated economic success to democratic political structures.

Though such governing reform is incredibly difficult to achieve, Taiwan has proven that a people possessed of the spirit of free commerce and who see and pursue their advantages, may achieve almost anything. This democratic achievement created by all people in Taiwan is the solid foundation on which you stand firm and look at the world today.

And so, in addition to being a prosperous society that enjoys international esteem for its values of freedom and democracy, Taiwan is also making record achievements as a critical player in the global economy, and as a major trading partner of the Philippines.

The Filipino people have always worked closely with the people of the Republic of China. Lest I be misunderstood, allow me to say that again, the Filipino people have always worked closely with the people of Taiwan. This is not surprising, considering that the Philippines is the closest neighbor of Taiwan. It takes only 45 minutes to fly from the southern Taiwan port city of Kaohsiung to the Philippines. Thus making it faster to travel to Taiwan by air than for me to travel to the Senate Building in Roxas Boulevard from my residence in Quezon City.

Our countries enjoy a bilateral trade relationship supporting tens of thousands of jobs, and investments worth billions of dollars. This symbiotic relationship in varying areas of development forms a stable bond between our economies in this new but sometimes volatile global system.

Taiwan is also the fifth largest foreign investor and fourth largest trading partner of the Philippines. Today, Taiwan’s investment in the Philippines already exceeds one billion dollars. According to latest figures from the Department of Trade and Industry, Philippine merchandise exports to Taiwan rose to 29.82 per cent for the first quarter of the current year or 1.04 billion dollars compared to the same period last year, a remarkable feat considering the recent dismal economic trends in the region.

In addition, there are currently about 100,000 professionals and skilled Filipinos working in Taiwan. Certainly, they help provide the needed impetus to boost the economic development Taiwan has been enjoying in recent years.

But beyond numbers and trends, the Philippines and Taiwan have a lot to learn and benefit from each other, being two of the strongest democracies in Asia. Taiwan and the Philippines share much in our love for freedom and democracy.

In this trying time, I believe that there is no reason to clash and there is every reason to cooperate, and collaborate if necessary. I am confident that the bilateral relations between our nations will not stop here. We have yet to reach the summit of our economic, diplomatic and cultural relations. It would be a pity if our countries could not further upgrade substantive exchanges.

Taiwan’s resuscitated “Go South Policy” is expected to fuel two-way trade and investments. We can both benefit from increased economic ties. The Philippines for instance can be a production base for Taiwan’s agricultural requirements. With our abundant supply of labor and land, the Philippines can pair up with Taiwan’s marketing and tech savvy agricultural players to combat the rising cost of agricultural production in Taiwan.

Taiwan can also benefit from our country’s abundant world-class Information Technology professionals, next only in number to India. Lastly, we have shown that the Philippines is competitive in the area of assembly, test and packaging and we are equally adept when it comes to components-making and technology-intensive manufacturing. So may I suggest to Ambassador Lo to tell your people to “Go South” but to always make a stop-over to the Philippines and see what we have to offer them.

In conclusion, I would like to borrow a few words of wisdom from the great Sun Yat-sen. According to him, “to understand is hard but once one understands, action is easy.”

The people of Taiwan have used their own entrepreneurship and economic freedom to achieve both an enviable prosperity and a strong democracy. Despite many obstacles, your success is a mark of hope for other peoples struggling from lack of freedom or for freedom from poverty.

Truly, Taiwan’s continued success is a living proof that democracy works and with all your help, Taiwan’s economic miracle can be replicated in the Philippines.

Let me extend my personal congratulations to you and wish both our nations a great future.

Shee-yeh shee-yeh (Thank you). Mabuhay tayong lahat!

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