Taipei, Jan. 10 (CNA) Taiwan aims to be a driving force behind the economic integration in the region and a hub of higher education in a rising new Asia, amid a change in the order of the global economy, President Ma Ying-jeou said Monday.
As one of the Asian countries which has experienced a rapid recovery from the global financial crisis, Taiwan has also achieved a "recovery with Taiwanese characteristics, " Ma said in a speech at the Commonwealth Economic Forum titled "The Rise of New Asia: Asia's Conflicts, Growth, and the New Future."
The forum was organized by the Commonwealth magazine in Taiwan. Ma said the historic trade pact Taiwan signed with China last June to liberalize cross-Taiwan Strait trade ties and to relax tensions, has provided Taiwan enough confidence to march forward and play an active role in a rapidly changing Asia.
The deal with China, known as the Economical Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA) , will be Taiwan's first step toward an eventual role of becoming the driving force behind the regional economical integration in Asia, Ma said.
Taiwan's improved trade and investment environment and geographical advantage will also make Taiwan "the global headquarters for Taiwanese businessmen and the regional headquarters for foreign businessmen, " Ma said.
In addition, Taiwan would like to be a global innovation center, he said.
As Taiwan is also equipped with many advantages and expertise, Ma said Taiwan can become "a hub of higher education in Asia, " adding that Taiwan's universities would especially like to cater to the needs of students from Southeast Asian countries since they are able to provide courses taught in English and quality Mandarin-learning education.
The president's comments came after Ma unveiled his vision for Taiwan's role in the world in his New Year's Day message on Jan. 1, saying that Taiwan aimed to be a standard-bearer at the leading edge of Chinese culture, a paragon of democracy for the Chinese-speaking world, a global innovation center, and a nation the world respects, and an inspiration to many. (By Chris Wang) Enditem/cs