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Taiwan welcomes US Department of State’s approval of missile servicing package

The recent approval by the U.S. Department of State of a proposed missile servicing package requested by the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office is sincerely welcomed by Taiwan’s government and people, the Presidential Office said July 10.

Taiwan occupies an important position in the global economy. It is a top player in the world’s information and communication technology industry as well as a major supplier of goods across the industrial spectrum. According to the World Trade Organization, Taiwan was the 16th largest exporter and 18th largest importer of merchandise in 2017. It was also one of the largest holders of foreign exchange reserves as of December 2017. Taiwan’s gross domestic product per capita reached US$24,337 in 2017. In terms of nominal GDP, Taiwan ranks close to Argentina and Sweden, while Taiwan’s GDP per capita expressed as purchasing power parity is similar to that of Austria and Denmark.

Since the government relocated to Taiwan in 1949, it has exercised jurisdiction over Taiwan proper, Penghu Islands, Kinmen Islands, Matsu Islands and a number of smaller islands, while China has been under the control of the authorities in Beijing. Beginning with the acceleration of Taiwan’s democratization in the late 1980s, many restrictions concerning civil exchanges with China have been lifted. Today, Taiwan is one of the biggest investors in China. In 2017, the value of cross-strait bilateral trade was US$139 billion. In that year, travelers from China made nearly 2.7 million visits to Taiwan, up from 329,204 in 2008.

The ROC is a sovereign and independent state that maintains its own national defense and conducts its own foreign affairs. As enshrined in the ROC Constitution, thecountry aims to “cultivate good-neighborliness with other nations, and respect treaties and the Charter of the U.N. … promote international cooperation, protect international justice and ensure world peace.” The ultimate goal of the country’s foreign policy is to ensure a favorable environment for the nation’s preservation and long-term development.