Taiwan is pleased to share its ideas and positions with fellow Asia-Pacific Economic Forum member economies, according to Morris Chang, founder of the world’s largest chipmaker Hsinchu City-headquartered Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.
As the country’s envoy to the 2022 APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting Nov. 18-19 in Thailand, Chang met with global leaders such as U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and China’s leader Xi Jinping.
According to Chang, Harris welcomed TSMC’s construction of a semiconductor facility in the U.S. State of Arizona and reaffirmed the U.S. resolve to assist Taiwan. The U.S. Secretary of Commerce has been invited to Arizona to take part in the facility’s official opening Dec. 6, Chang said, adding that its U.S. chip production facility would manufacture more advanced chips than those currently produced in the U.S.
During his meeting with Kishida, Chang said Taiwan and Japan share a close relationship and have helped each other combat natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic. The strong support from the East Asian country for cross-strait peace and stability in the international arena is deeply appreciated, he said.
Chang anticipated Japan’s continued support for Taiwan’s bid to participate in international organizations such as the World Health Assembly, the International Civil Aviation Organization and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership. The government is committed to working with like-minded partners such as Japan to achieve an open and prosperous Indo-Pacific, he added.
In response, Kishida praised the economic and trade cooperation between Taiwan and Japan while pledging to deepen exchanges.
Chang said his interaction with Xi was cordial and polite. They exchanged greetings and asked after each other's health, he added.
APEC was established in 1989 to achieve greater regional integration and prosperity through delivering balanced, inclusive, innovative, secure and sustainable growth. Since joining in 1991, Taiwan has made substantial contributions to initiatives and projects spanning such areas as disaster prevention, food security, ICT and women’s economic empowerment. (YCH-E)
