Former Japanese economic security minister Kobayashi Takayuki has met with President Lai Ching-te and other senior officials in Taipei. He says regional security and economic stability are at the top of the agenda.
00:00Japan's former economic security minister Kobayashi Takayuki is in Taiwan for a three-day visit.
00:06President Lai Qingde welcomed him at the presidential office in Taipei.
00:10It's their first meeting in seven years, and a potential free trade deal is on the agenda.
00:15Kobayashi, who is now an MP in the Japanese parliament, spoke here at the foreign ministry.
00:20He says Japan and Taiwan have a strong bond, and that he looks forward to more collaboration in the future.
00:25Lai stated that he has high expectations for Japan's leadership for peace, prosperity and stability in the Indo-Pacific region, and I take this matter very seriously.
00:38During his meeting with Kobayashi, President Lai thanked Japan for its continued dedication to maintain cross-trade stability and support for Taiwan.
00:46He said an economic partnership agreement with Japan would benefit both countries.
00:51As China solidifies its dominance in the domestic tech manufacturing, in what some countries call the red supply chain,
01:10economies that once relied on China are now working to secure their own place in the global market.
01:15But with tensions growing in the Taiwan Strait and the geopolitical situation uncertain,
01:20the clock is ticking for Taiwan to strengthen tech and economic ties with friendly nations and enhance its strategic position.
01:27On Wednesday, Kobayashi met with legislative speaker Han Guoyu and Defense Minister Wellington Koo.
01:33Both officials praised Taiwan and Japan's mutual assistance in the wake of natural disasters.
01:38Kobayashi is set to meet with Taiwan's Vice President Bi Qingxiao and Economy Minister Guo Zhihui.
01:43Regional security and economic stability are expected to be key topics of discussion during those meetings.
01:50Klein Wang and I-Ring Lin at the Foreign Ministry in Taipei for Taiwan Plus.
