Hello, everyone. Selamat sejahtera! 大家好！
十月十日是中華民國台灣的國慶日。10th of October is the National Day of the Republic of China (Taiwan). I regret that a celebration party is still not possible at present due to the Covid-19 pandemic. On this auspicious occasion of the 110th anniversary of the Republic of China, I would like to share with you all what Taiwan has achieved during the past year.
The mutual support in fighting the pandemic has brought us closer together. Despite the trials and tribulations posed by the pandemic, the last two years were also exemplified by warmth, resilience, strength, friendship and partnership. As Taiwan donated material and provided assistance to the world at the onset of the pandemic, many friendly countries also came to Taiwan's aid with life-saving vaccines this year to show their appreciation. In this regard, I would like to take this opportunity to extend our sincere gratitude to Malaysian government for its generosity and kindness to include foreign residents in its National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme, which benefits Taiwan citizens in Malaysia as well as TECO staff and their dependents.
During the severe period of Covid-19 pandemic in Malaysia this year, the Taiwanese government and Taiwan investors in Malaysia have also shown a spirit of sharing weal and woe to help fight the pandemic. In addition to the recent donation of 200 oxygen generators by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Taiwan to the Malaysian government, Taiwanese businesses in Malaysia have also contributed epidemic prevention materials and funds as a feedback to the local community.
Despite of the threat of the pandemic, Taiwan continues to promote various developments and achieve the following economic accomplishments, including: (1) According to the Institute for Management Development’s World Competitiveness Yearbook 2021, Taiwan ranked eighth in the world, our highest ranking since 2013. (2) International Monetary Fund data from 2020 shows that Taiwan is the 21st-largest economy in the world. (3) The World Trade Organization’s 2020 statistics show that globally Taiwan is the 15th-largest exporter and 18th-largest importer, with total trade value ranking 16th in the world. (4) In its second report this year, Business Environment Risk Intelligence ranked Taiwan the fourth-best destination for investment, behind only Switzerland, Norway, and the Republic of Korea (ROK).
Taiwan registered 3.11% of economic growth in 2020, the highest in the world, as a result of its effective control of Covid-19. This year, Taiwan’s economy continues to thrive despite the impact of the pandemic. The growth rate for the first half of this year reached 8.34%, and the annual growth rate is estimated to be as high as 5.88%. In addition, Taiwan occupies a pivotal position in the global semiconductor industry chain. Its technological advantages and leading technologies are indispensable for the recovery of the global economy and the establishment of a secure supply chain network in the post-epidemic era. 19 hi-tech products manufactured by Taiwanese companies home and abroad, rank first in the global market, showing that Taiwan plays a key role in the global industrial supply chain.
Participating in the Comprehensive Progress Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) is Taiwan’s long-term goal. Taiwan officially submitted an application on 22nd September, 2021 to join the CPTPP, a major step forward in its ambition to participate in regional economic integration since joining the World Trade Organisation. It also demonstrates Taiwan’s willingness and readiness to abide by the global marketplace's high standards.
Taiwan and Malaysia have both enjoyed very cordial and close relationship in many areas over the decades. Taiwan was Malaysia's 5th largest trading partner while Malaysia was Taiwan's 7th largest in 2020. In the meantime, Taiwan was the eighth largest foreign investor in Malaysia, with a cumulative investment of more than 13.8 billion U.S. dollars. Moreover, Malaysia is Taiwan's largest source of foreign students as well as tourists among ASEAN countries. In spite of the pandemic, there were still about 14,000 Malaysian students studying in Taiwan in 2020. We believe that with the solid foundation laid over the years and under the New Southbound Policy, we will surly usher in another peak after the pandemic.
As a responsible stakeholder in the international community, Taiwan will continue to bolster cooperation with like-minded countries to jointly promote peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.
In closing, I wish continued success and prosperity for the Republic of China (Taiwan) and Malaysia. May the friendship between the peoples of our two countries last forever. Best wishes to you all. Thank you.
