Taipei, June 13 (CNA) President Ma Ying-jeou expressed hope Friday that Japan will support Taiwan's bids to join such regional trade blocs as the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).
Ma noted that Taiwan is keen on joining the two regional trade blocs and hopes to get Japan's support in joining them. Japan has already joined the RCEP and is working to take part in the TPP.
Taiwan's membership would make economic integration in the Asia-Pacific region more effective and more comprehensive, Ma said.
He made the remarks during a meeting with Mitsuo Obashi, chairman of the Japan Interchange Association, at the Presidential Office. The association is a quasi-official body in charge of exchanges with Taiwan.
Ma said that since his last meeting with Obashi at the end of last year, bilateral relations have made steady progress.
The number of visitors traveling between Japan and Taiwan reached 3.76 million in 2013, setting a new high, Ma said, adding that the number could reach 4 million this year.
A landmark fishery agreement between Taiwan and Japan on fishing rights in overlapping territory in the East China Sea also celebrated its first anniversary this April, Ma said.
In addition, the artifacts from the National Palace Museum will be touring Japan this September, the president said.
President seeks Japan's support for Taiwan's trade bloc bids | Politics | FOCUS TAIWAN - CNA ENGLISH NEWS
