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Updated Friday, May 6, 2011 11:32 pm TWN, CNA

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Ma urges Japan to begin talks on trade agreement

TOKYO--President Ma Ying-jeou urged Tokyo to begin discussions with Taipei on a bilateral trade and investment agreement, according to a recent interview he gave to Asahi Shimbun, a Japanese daily.

Such an agreement will institutionalize economic cooperation between the two countries, Ma said, adding that he wants to explore in what format and under what timeframe the pact would be sealed.

Japan is currently Taiwan's second-largest trade partner, with trade volume totaling US$69.9 billion in 2010.

“An agreement will be reached as long as both sides are willing,” Ma said.

The interview was conducted Wednesday in Taipei, the details of which were published Thursday on Asahi Shimbun's front page, as well as the international section.

In addition, the president promised to help Japan recover as a tourist destination for Taiwanese. Tourism to Japan has sagged, with many canceling their trips following the March 11 earthquake, tsunami, and subsequent nuclear crisis in East Japan.

Before the disasters, Taiwanese people made more than 1 million visits to Japan annually.

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