Rina misconstrued Teco’s good intentions

Rina Jimenez-David, in her June 15 column (“A celebration—and some questions”), commented on Taiwan’s appeal to the Philippines for visa-free privileges for Taiwan nationals. We would like to clarify our position.

Since President Ma Ying-jeou was elected in 2008, one of the top priorities has been to strive for visa-free status for our nationals. This has nothing to do with his campaign pledge, or with polishing his image. Our goal is solely to facilitate Taiwan nationals’ foreign travel plans, increase cultural exchanges, and boost economic interactions with other countries.

All visa-free treatments must conform to the interests of both the issuing and receiving countries. The process involves careful deliberation and evaluation by various government agencies, i.e., justice (immigration), foreign affairs (passport), interior and local government (national security), etc. Should these agencies decide that a win-win situation is not achievable, mere pressuring would be useless.

Thus far, 127 countries and areas have granted visa-free or landing visa to Taiwan nationals, among them, the United Kingdom.

After granting this privilege to Taiwan nationals in 2009, the UK saw a 150-percent increase in Taiwanese tourist arrivals that same year. In 2010, UK imports to Taiwan went up by 36 percent, while Taiwan imports to the UK rose by 21.5 percent.

David criticized Ambassador Raymond Wang, for his alleged “pressuring” of Philippine officials to give Taiwan visa-free treatment, saying: “Wang, who’s had little previous experience in the foreign ministry, appears to lack the necessary diplomatic experience and cultural sensitivity….” We think this is unfair. Ambassador Wang has been actively enhancing bilateral relations since he took office last January through such undertakings as expanding business opportunities, pushing hard to invite Taiwan trade and investment missions. In terms of humanitarian assistance, nearly 8,000 tons of rice have been donated for victims of natural disasters, along with two ambulances, 76 computers, and many wheelchairs. All these have been recognized and praised by the Philippine House of Representatives through House Resolution  258.

Regarding claims that granting visa-free privileges to Taiwan will “open the door to Taiwanese and Chinese drug and human smuggling syndicates…” so far, none of the 127 countries and areas that have granted Taiwan visa-free treatment have reported increased crime rates as a direct result of this privilege.

We are curious to ask whether it is in the Philippines’ national interest not to grant Taiwan reciprocal visa privileges; or do some other interests outweigh its national interests? Though it is unfortunate that our good intentions were misconstrued, in the future, Ambassador Wang and Teco will continue to work even harder to promote comprehensive bilateral relations between Taiwan and the Philippines.

—WELLINGTON WEI,

director, Press Division,

Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (Teco),

Taiwan, ROC