(Central News Agency reporter Li Zongxian, Jakarta, 21st) An Indonesian think tank held an international seminar today, focusing on the Taiwan election next year, attracting many scholars and embassy personnel from many countries to participate. Scholars attending the meeting believed that Taiwan is geographically close to many Southeast Asian countries, and the situation in the Taiwan Strait is very important to regional security.
Taiwan will hold a general election in January next year. The Indonesian think tank “Habibie Center” held an international seminar in Jakarta today. In the afternoon, it focused on the relationship between the elections of various countries next year and the order of the Indo-Pacific region, especially on the relationship between Taiwan’s new government after the election next year. regional implications, and how the new administration will develop relations with Southeast Asia.
Mabda Fajrilla Sidiq, a researcher at the Habibie Center, said that Taiwan will hold a presidential election next year, and how the results will affect regional security has attracted attention from all walks of life. She said that the ASEAN meeting had paid attention to the situation in the Taiwan Strait and its impact on regional stability.
Mabouda said: “Who the next president of Taiwan will be will affect cross-strait relations and the relationship between Taiwan and the United States. Geographically, Taiwan is close to many countries in Southeast Asia, so the situation in the Taiwan Strait is very important to regional security.”
Liu Fuguo, a researcher at the International Relations Research Center of National Chengchi University who was invited to attend the seminar, said that this is the first time he has been able to discuss Taiwan and Taiwan Strait issues in public after many visits to Jakarta.
He said: “In the past, when regional security was discussed in Jakarta, if there were Chinese people in the audience, the Taiwan Strait issue could not be raised. But now the Taiwan Strait has become an international issue, and Indonesia has become a major country in Southeast Asia and is paying more attention to neighboring countries.”
Liu Fuguo pointed out that the most important issue in Taiwan’s presidential election next year is the relationship with China. He introduced the presidential candidates nominated by Taiwan’s political parties to the attendees, and also mentioned the “Blue and White” that is still under discussion. He emphasized that Taiwan’s presidential election will have a key impact on the Indo-Pacific region.
Liu Fuguo mentioned the just-concluded meeting with Xi Jinping in the United States, and said that China and the United States are working hard to control potential risks in the sea, and “how to handle relations with China will become the top priority of Taiwan’s next leader.”
Yao Hongmin, director of the Institute of International Security at the National Defense University, participated in the seminar via video call. He pointed out that the situation in the Indo-Pacific region will be more affected by the structure of Sino-US relations.
Regarding the relationship between the new government and Southeast Asia after Taiwan’s election next year, he optimistically pointed out that no matter who is elected as the next president, Taiwan will continue to invest in Southeast Asia and deepen cooperation.
He said: “(For Southeast Asia) it is not a matter of ‘China or Taiwan’. When countries are seeking diversified partners, Southeast Asia can also benefit from its balanced (not taking sides) policy, accept investment from Taiwan, and Reduce potential political risks.” (Editor: Zhou Yongjie) 1121121
