Senior members of Taiwan and Japan’s ruling parties have held talks on diplomacy and regional security.
The meeting brought together two members of Taiwan’s Democratic Progressive Party and two from Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party. Representing the Liberal Democratic Party were Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee Director Masahisa Sato and senior lawmaker Taku Otsuka.
Lawmaker Tsai Shih-ying, who represented Taiwan’s Democratic Progressive Party in the talks, says the two sides discussed cooperation on security issues. However, he says he cannot provide further details due to the sensitive nature of the topic.
Tsai says there was a high level of consensus between the two sides on the issue of coast guard cooperation and maritime patrols. He says since the two countries’ waters are connected, they should work together on maritime rescue operations, patrol exercises, and other humanitarian rescue services.
Meanwhile, lawmaker Lo Chih-cheng, who also took part in the talks, says the two sides agreed to work together to promote economic cooperation. He says that applies especially to encouraging Japanese investment in Taiwan’s semiconductor industry.
Lo says Japan also promised to help Taiwan take part in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership. The partnership is a free trade agreement between countries including Japan, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and Singapore.