Legislative Speaker Su Jia-chyuan (蘇嘉全)

Manila, Jan. 14 (CNA) A delegation led by Taiwan's Legislative Speaker Su Jia-chyuan (蘇嘉全) is visiting the Philippines to further promote parliamentary exchanges and relations between the two nations.

Accompanied by a group of legislators, government officials and business leaders, Su's delegation arrived in Manila on Saturday.

Shortly after his arrival, Su met with several Philippine politicians, including two former vice presidents, Jejomar Binay, Teofisto Tayko Guingona Jr., and parliamentary leaders. The two sides exchange opinions on future development of bilateral ties, trade and investment, visa-free preferential treatment for each other's citizens, cooperation in combating cross-border crime and narco trafficking, a reconstruction plan for the southern Philippine city of Marawi and other matters of mutual concern.

During the meetings, Su said that Taiwan cherishes its long standing friendly relationship with the Philippines, which has long been an important trade partner and served as a portal for Taiwan to promote trade and economic cooperation with other members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

Taiwan and the Philippines are mutually complementary, given that Taiwan has much professional talent, capital and technology, while the Philippines has abundant human resources, he noted.

Su also mentioned Taiwan's New Southbound Policy, initiated by President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) after assuming power in May 2016, and noted that the implementation of the policy mainly focuses on promoting exchanges between the peoples of Taiwan and the target countries.

The New Southbound Policy is aimed at strengthening the relationship between Taiwan and 18 countries, including the 10 Association of Southeast Asian Nations, as well as India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, New Zealand and Australia.

Su and his delegation attended the swearing-in ceremony for the new president of Taiwan Association Inc. Philippines on Sunday evening and are scheduled to return to Taiwan Monday.

(By Emerson Lim and Romulo Huang)
Enditem/AW