Taipei, April 21 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian's "Jung Pang Project" initiative will facilitate relations with Latin American allies but its implementation requires respect for each ally's unique situation, ambassadors and experts said at an international forum Friday.
The project, proposed by President Chen during a 2005 Latin American trip, budgeted NT$7.5 billion (US$250 million) and aimed at encouraging Taiwanese investment in Central and South America. It serves as a strategy to neutralize China's increasing impact in the region.
Paraguay welcomed the project and hopes to be Taiwan's "gateway" to enter the Latin American market, Ambassador of the Republic of Paraguay Ramon Diaz Pereira said at the 2006 Taiwan-Latin America Forum, which was organized by Tamkang University Graduate Institute of Latin America Studies. Paraguay is one of 12 Latin American countries that have established official relations with Taiwan, which currently has 25 diplomatic allies.
"Taiwan can use this project to developing better ties with Latin American countries. For example, high-caliber Costa Rican employees will be helpful to Taiwan in developing the Spanish-version of computer software," said former ambassador to Costa Rica Mao Kao-wen.
"Every country has different needs, environment and background. Different detailed plans are needed to make the most out of the project," Mao noted.
The US$250 million pales in comparison with the US$10 billion China invests in Latin America every year, said Juan Hung Hui, a professor at Tamkang University. This is why Taiwan needs to improve its relations with China -- to avoid such diplomatic competition, he said.