- 期刊
A Review of Taiwan’s Old and New Go South Policy: An Economic Perspective
摘要
The New Southbound Policy was officially announced by President Tsai Ing-wen in her inaugural address on May 20, 2016, to formalize the Democratic Progressive Party's proposal initiated during the presidential election campaign to enhance relations with Southeast Asia, or the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, South Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. The New Southbound Policy often is compared with the previous governments' policy in the 1990s and 2000s but regarded to have different agenda and policy goals. Thus, the New Southbound Policy is a renewal of the old versions but with new elements and different priorities. The policy has seen full implementation since January 2017. Although time is needed to evaluate the overall effects, some positive progress has been seen in student exchanges and tourism. The policy needs to respond to the changing international geopolitical and economic environment. In addition, it also needs to respond to target countries' future development plans and regional economic integration, including the RCEP, which may conclude trade negotiations in the end of 2017 or early 2018. To help the business community better engage in the region and improve competitiveness, the government also needs to consider a revised FTA strategy to develop bilateral ECAs/FTAs and participate in regional trade agreements.