Radio Taiwan International
Date: 2018-05-23

The foreign minister, Joseph Wu, says the government’s New Southbound policy can

Foreign Minister Joseph Wu appears in this CNA file photo.

complement the US Indo-Pacific strategy. The New Southbound policy is the government’s bid to seek closer trade and cultural ties with countries in Southeast Asia and South Asia, as well as Australia and New Zealand.

In a report to the Legislature on Wednesday, Wu said Taiwan is a free and democratic country in the Indo-Pacific region and is happy to work with the US and its allies in the region.

The minister said Taiwan can use official development assistance under the New Southbound policy to link up with the US government’s strategy and deepen ties with the US in doing so. He also said the government would like to strengthen interactions with Japan, Australia and India.    [FULL  STORY]