Northeast Asia

As introduced by the Yearbook of the Republic of China:

Northeast Asia, including Japan and the Korean Peninsula, is a strategic fulcrum, and Taiwan holds a key location at the southern end of this region. It has maintained close ties with Japan and Korea throughout history via trade, cultural exchanges, technical cooperation, and professional exchanges. Enhancing Taiwan's security dialogue and regional cooperation with Northeast Asian countries is of vital importance in strengthening the security and prosperity of all of Asia. In terms of economy and trade, Taiwan's bilateral trade with Japan in 2003 totaled US$44.56 billion, with a US$20.7 billion deficit. Bilateral trade with Korea reached US$13.26 billion, with a US$4.11 billion deficit.

Taiwan and Japan also share parliamentary-level exchanges. On March 26, 2002, the Legislative Yuan's Taiwan-Japan Inter-Parliamentary Group was reformed as a non-partisan organization. Deputy speaker of the Legislative Yuan P.K. Chiang serves as its chairman. The Taiwan-Japan Inter-Parliamentary Exchanges Promotion Group, composed mainly of DPP legislators, was established on June 18, 2002, with legislator Chen Tan-sun serving as its chairman. Deputy Speaker Chiang and legislator Lin Chung-mo, chairman of the Taiwan-Japan Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Alliance, led a delegation to Japan on April 9 and May 29, 2002, respectively. Speaker Wang Jin-pyng also led a delegation to Japan on November 10, 2002. These visits were instrumental in strengthening parliamentary-level exchanges between the two countries.

Geopolitically speaking, Northeast Asia has played an increasingly important role in world affairs. US president George W. Bush's visit to Northeast Asia in February 2002 further underscored the importance that the US attaches to this region. In a speech to the Japanese Diet, President Bush stressed that the US would not forget its commitment to the people of Taiwan, a point applauded by Japanese parliamentarians. The speech also won praise from Japanese prime minister Junichiro Koizumi, showing that both the US and Japan attach great importance to security in the Taiwan Strait. Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea are active supporters of democracy in Asia. These three countries share the universal values of democracy, freedom, human rights, and peace, as well as the same aspirations for stability and peace in the Asia-Pacific region. Taiwan will further strengthen its exchanges and cooperation with Japan and South Korea to enhance mutual understanding and friendly relations and to jointly seek stability and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region.