The Taiwan Association Inc. Philippines (TAP) held its 45th–46th Presidential and Supervisory Board turnover ceremony on January 18 in Manila, marking a pivotal milestone in the organization’s history and highlighting the deepening partnership between Taiwan and the Philippines.

Ms. Jia Hsieh, a second-generation Taiwanese business leader, officially assumed the presidency, receiving the association’s seal from outgoing President Tom Lin. The ceremony was officiated by Taiwan’s Representative to the Philippines, Ambassador Wallace M.G. Chow, and national policy advisor to the President, Kai-min Lin, and attended by Minister Chia-ching Hsu of Taiwan’s Overseas Community Affairs Council (OCAC), demonstrating strong government support for overseas Taiwanese business communities.

In her inaugural address, Hsieh outlined her vision for the next two years under the banner of the Taiwan Link initiative, aimed at fostering stronger connections among Taiwanese businesspeople in the Philippines, encouraging generational succession, and increasing youth participation. She highlighted that Taiwan Link will serve as a platform to expand professional networks, enhance mutual support, and infuse new energy into TAP’s activities.

Ahead of the ceremony, Hsieh launched Taiwan Link through an interactive networking session, enabling participants from across Asia to engage directly with locally based Taiwanese entrepreneurs, exchange contacts, and explore potential collaborations.

The event drew a distinguished audience from both Taiwan and the Philippines. Taiwanese attendees included legislators Chih-wei Chiu, Chia-pin Chung, and Mong-kai Hung, alongside senior officials from the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office and representatives from Taiwanese business associations across Asia. Philippine attendees included cabinet officials, members of Congress, and senior representatives from the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, reflecting the growing significance of Taiwan–Philippines economic and people-to-people exchanges.

In his remarks, Ambassador Chow commended TAP’s enduring role as a bridge between Taiwan and the Philippines, noting tangible achievements in trade, investment, and bilateral cooperation over the past year. He expressed confidence that the new leadership would further expand opportunities for collaboration.

Minister Hsu called the leadership transition a historic moment, emphasizing that Hsieh’s appointment as a second-generation leader symbolizes successful generational succession within the overseas Taiwanese business community. She expressed gratitude to Taiwanese entrepreneurs for their long-term contributions to economic development and public diplomacy, particularly during global uncertainties.

Hsieh reaffirmed TAP’s commitment to supporting Taiwan–Philippines economic cooperation, including alignment with regional initiatives such as the Luzon Economic Corridor. She stressed that TAP will remain a reliable partner for both governments and businesses, offering on-the-ground support for Taiwanese enterprises seeking to invest or expand in the Philippines.

Founded nearly five decades ago, TAP now boasts a leadership team largely under 50, signaling renewed vitality and adaptability. Hsieh concluded by pledging to deepen engagement with Filipino communities, promote cross-sector and cross-generational collaboration, and ensure TAP continues to thrive as a forward-looking platform for Taiwan–Philippines cooperation.

Cognizant of the severe damages brought by the consecutive typhoons in the Philippines, the Taiwan government has gathered relief supplies responding to the worsening disasters in the Philippines. These supplies include emergency shelter kits, solar lamps, bedding sets, sleeping mats, mosquito nets, kitchen sets, and personal hygiene items, addressing the most immediate needs of the affected people. On November 22, these relief materials—nearly 5 tons in weight and valued at over 5 million pesos—were transported to the Philippines. On behalf of the Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan), Ambassador Chow, Representative of Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in the Philippines, donated the relief supplies to the Philippine government, represented by H. E. Cheloy E. Velicaria-Garafil, Chairperson of Manila Economic and Cultural Office, who transferred them to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for coordinated distribution. On behalf of DSWD, Mr. Leo L. Quintilla attended the handover ceremony. Taiwan government hopes that, during this difficult time, these timely donations will provide care and support to the affected communities in the Philippines, helping them return to normalcy before the upcoming Christmas holidays.

Given the geographical proximity and frequent exposure to extreme weather and natural disasters, Taiwan government and its people deeply empathize with the Philippines’ current plight. To address the damages brought by the natural disasters, Taiwan and the Philippines will continue to collaborate, exploring feasible bilateral Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response (HA/DR) mechanism. Taiwan government will also closely monitor disaster’s development and assess the necessity of providing timely assistance. Taiwan government and its people extend their heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims of the typhoons, wish the injured a swift recovery, and hope that they will soon rebuild their homes and resume normal lives.

As a staunch supporter of food security, the Republic of China (Taiwan) ramps up cooperation with the Philippines by planting seeds of friendship that will blossom into mutually beneficial for both countries.

The unveiling of a demonstration farm in Tarlac City on December 15, dubbed as “Smart Farming” is Taiwan’s crown jewel in its global agri initiatives and admired agricultural program. Smart Farming is a way of life for Taiwanese that proves to be effective, productive, sustainable, and adaptable.

Rolling out its 3rd international cooperation which was planted with the establishment of the Taiwan Technical Mission (TTM) in the Philippines in March 2022, the initiative was first launched in Southeast Asia at Indonesia and Thailand. Fully supported by Taiwan through the International Cooperation and Development Fund (ICDF), this endeavor marks the implementation of Taiwan’s Agri-Cluster Consolidation Cooperation (ACCC) project in the Philippines, showcasing a commitment to shared agricultural advancements.

Seeds of Sustainability Towards Food Security

During his speech, Taipei Economic and Cultural Office Representative – His Excellency Wallace M.G. Chow highlighted the objective of TTM, explaining that it aims to introduce Taiwan’s modern policy to Filipino agriculture policymakers, researchers, farmers, and Fishermen.

“As we all know food security has become a global concern amidst the worldwide pressure of inflation stemming, from the COVID-19 pandemic, the continued war between Russia and Ukraine, and accelerating climate change — therefore as the closest of the Philippines, Taiwan has realized the importance of developing a strategic partnership between our two countries on food production,” said Ambassador Chow.

Signifying more than just agricultural innovation, the Technical Mission Demonstration Farm in Tarlac City stands as a living testament to the flourishing bilateral relations between Taiwan and the Philippines. Further, TTM intends to enhance the agriculture practice as well as the groundwork for improved safety and productivity through innovation.

Having said this, some of this year’s milestones include:

May 2023 – had the installation of a weather station in collaboration with local farmers

August 2023 – TTM distributed disaster relief seedlings in Tarlac province, providing support to six cooperatives within the region

October 2023 – Advance Greenhouse embarked on its first attempt at melon production

Taiwan-Phl relations: Technological Innovation and Mutual Cooperation

Taiwan shares with the Philippines its best practices on smart farming which includes soil testing, diagnosis of cultivation, harvesting, post-harvest processing, storage, packaging, marketing, and distribution.

Through the demonstration farm, high-value crop and seedling production will be harvested with the help of new types of machinery such as a semi-automatic grafting machine, electric lifting carrier, tri-wheel sprayer, leafy vegetable harvester and transplanter. Indeed, the advocacy of conducting a capacity-building program while embracing modernization and industrialization is pivotal in ensuring sustainable development and economic resilience.

As the seeds of cooperation are sown, the aim is for these connections to grow organically and be reaped by the people, economically. For instance, the ACC project aims to supply 150 hectares of disaster relief seedlings every year to expedite post-disaster recovery. By embracing cutting-edge technologies and sustainable approaches, the demo farm in Tarlac City is poised to elevate its agricultural output, contributing to food security and economic stability.

“Global challenges require global solutions. Global Solutions necessitate collaboration between countries, particularly closest neighbors. The establishment of the Taiwan Technical Mission showed our two countries’ willingness to form a sound partnership, and I am confident that this will further enhance the solid bond between Taiwan and the Philippines through cooperation and development,” as emphasized Chow.

This initiative not only strengthens ties between Taiwan and the Philippines but also serves as a tangible embodiment of the potential for mutual growth and prosperity through collaborative agricultural efforts.

The farm, as revolutionized in Taiwan’s way, becomes a symbolic landscape where the shared commitment to progress can take root and flourish for the benefit of both countries, from today and the years to come.