New Southbound Policy

James C. F. Huang, Director of the New Southbound Policy Office.

The New Southbound Policy (Chinese: 新南向政策) is the initiative of the Government of the Republic of China under President Tsai Ing-wen to enhance cooperation and exchanges between Taiwan and 18 countries in Southeast Asia, South Asia and Australasia.^[1][2][3]

History

The policy was created to make Taiwan less dependent on Mainland China and to improve Taiwan's cooperation with other countries.^[4] The policy was officially launched on 5 September 2016.^[1]

Office

The New Southbound Policy Office is headed by Director James C. F. Huang.^[5]

Implementation measures

Promote economic collaboration

• Trade offices will be set up by the Ministry of Economic Affairs in India, Indonesia, Myanmar and Thailand for Taiwanese companies to integrate with the local resources.^[1]
• Service counters will be set up in Taiwan for business and trade promotions to countries covered by the policy.^[1]

Share resources

• Expanding scholarships to students from ASEAN countries up to 60,000 students by 2019.^[6]

Budget

The operational budget for the policy implementation is taken from the Presidential Office budget.^[7]

See also

• Foreign relations of Taiwan

References

1. Tai, Ya-chen; Low, Y.F. (5 September 2016). "Cabinet launches plan to promote 'New Southbound Policy'". Focus Taiwan. Retrieved 1 November 2016.
2. "'New Southbound Policy' promotion plan launched". Ministry of the Interior Republic of China (Taiwan). 5 September 2016. Retrieved 1 November 2016.
3. Sung, Wen-lung (1 November 2016). "Two-pronged 'southbound' strategy". Taipei Times. Retrieved 1 November 2016.
4. Lu, Yi-hsuan; Chung, Jake (1 November 2016). "Task force to help promote the 'new southbound policy'". Taipei Times. Retrieved 1 November 2016.
5. "Warning signals for the 'New Southbound Policy': The China Post". Straits Times. 12 September 2016. Retrieved 1 November 2016.
6. "New Southbound Policy centers on people: Tsai". Taiwan Today. 23 September 2016. Retrieved 1 November 2016.
7. Liu, Claudia; Chang, S.C. (15 June 2016). "New Southbound Policy Office to operate on Presidential Office budget". Focus Taiwan. Retrieved 1 November 2016.