Free trade talks with Japan new year's goal: president

"Taiwan and Japan maintain very close economic relations, so both will benefit greatly if they can sign a bilateral FTA," Ma said while meeting with the new Japanese representative to Taiwan, Tadashi Imai, at the Presidential Office.

Japan is Taiwan's second-largest trade partner, while Taiwan is Japan's fourth-largest trade partner, according to government statistics.

After designating 2009 as the year in which Taiwan was supposed to have forged a special strategic relationship with Japan, Ma said, his administration will continue to boost bilateral exchanges and cooperation in various fields this year.

"In addition, we hope to start discussions with Japan on the feasibility of striking an FTA that will bring good fortune and well-being to our business community and ordinary people," said Ma.

The 2010 work agenda also includes preparations for opening direct flight services between Taipei's Songshan Airport and Tokyo's Haneda Airport in October, as well as the promotion of an exhibition in Japan of ancient Chinese art treasures from the National Palace Museum in Taipei, he went on.

Touching on Taiwan's diplomatic policy, Ma said his administration's main goal is to pursue peace and balanced development.

"We believe our efforts to improve relations with China are conducive to Japan, South Korea and other East Asian countries, " he said.

Under his "modus vivendi" policy toward China, Ma continued, relations across the Taiwan Strait have improved greatly since his inauguration in May 2008, while his flexible diplomatic approach has also allowed the two sides of the strait to respect each other and avoid their previous controversial tug-of-war to lure away each other's diplomatic allies.

While working to improve cross-strait ties, Ma said, Taiwan has also spared no efforts to strengthen relations with Japan, the United States, the European Union and Southeast Asian countries.

On East Asian security, Ma said Taiwan attaches great importance to the continuity of the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty, describing it as a cornerstone for regional security and stability.

According to the president, Taiwan has never overlooked its security relations with the U.S., and he hailed a recent U.S. decision to sell Taiwan a package of weapons as a further guarantee of Taiwan's security.

"Taiwan will be more willing to improve relations with China when our people feel safe and confident in our country's defense ability," Ma told Imai.

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