The China Post
dATE: January 5, 2017
By: Stephanie Chao
TAIPEI, Taiwan — “Taiwan’s greatest advantage in heading southbound lies within its experiences with
small-scale enterprises. These can really solve the problems facing countries in ASEAN and South Asia,” Minister Without Portfolio John Deng (鄧振中) told The China Post.
Since President Tsai Ing-wen assumed office in May and the Executive Yuan Office of Trade Negotiations began operation in mid-September, the government’s attention has been turned toward countries to Taiwan’s south, with actions ranging from loosening visa restrictions to providing a suitable environment for businesses looking to expand.
For Deng, tasked with leading the Tsai administration’s “New Southbound Policy,” these policies will decide how Taiwan could pave its own path between Beijing and the U.S. in an uncertain world.
This mammoth effort falls before the Executive Yuan Office of Trade Negotiations, of which Deng serves as top representative.
“What the government wishes to do is to assist the society and businesses, regardless whether those efforts are directly or indirectly helpful to them,” Deng said.
Deng considers his office an aggregator of resources and information not only for Taiwanese businesses and students, but also for enterprises and potential human talent for the people of the so-called New Southbound countries as well. [FULL STORY]