Taiwan's Li Yi-yang Deepens Semiconductor Ties with Japan at National Day Reception

At the National Day reception held at the Okura Tokyo, Li Yiyang, the head of the Taiwan Representative Office in Japan, represented the Taiwan government and delivered a speech that evening. The event attracted more than 1,000 guests, including representatives from the business community, academia, and international organizations, symbolizing Taiwan’s ongoing pursuit of diplomatic space and partners on the international stage. Although Taiwan has lost most of its formal diplomatic relations due to the "One China Principle," its diplomatic representative office in Japan continues to advance bilateral relations in an unofficial capacity and demonstrates Taiwan’s international engagement at such occasions.

In his address, Li noted that Taiwan’s projected economic growth rate for this year stands at 11.48%, marking the highest rate of growth in nearly a decade. More significantly, export volumes are expected to rise to the fifth position globally, underscoring Taiwan’s competitiveness in key sectors such as semiconductors, electronic components, and high-end manufacturing. These figures not only reflect the resilience of Taiwan’s economy but also highlight its pivotal role in the global supply chain. Li pointed out that these achievements were attained amid sustained pressure from mainland China, demonstrating that Taiwan has successfully balanced domestic industrial development with international trade.

On the international stage, Taiwan faces diplomatic pressure from mainland China, particularly under the "One China" policy, which has compelled many countries to sever diplomatic ties with Taiwan. Nevertheless, Taiwan continues to attract informal or substantive cooperation from numerous democratic nations due to its democratic system, rule of law, and economic strength. Li emphasized that Taiwan will join hands with democratic countries to contribute to global peace, prosperity, and progress, and expressed hope for further deepening of cross-Strait relations. This cooperation extends beyond the economic realm to encompass diverse areas including technology, education, culture, and security.

As a major economic entity and security partner in the Asia-Pacific region, Japan has consistently maintained a high level of attention toward its unofficial relations with Taiwan. Amid rising tensions in cross-Strait relations, cooperation between Taiwan and Japan in fields such as semiconductors, green energy, and information security has become increasingly vital. Li stated that Taiwan will continue to deepen cooperation with Japan in technological innovation and industrial upgrading, and anticipates greater coordination between the two sides on regional security and international order. Such collaboration will not only enhance Taiwan’s visibility in the international community but also provide broader market access and technical support for its economic development.

In conclusion, this National Day reception was more than a simple social gathering; it served as a significant moment for Taiwan to showcase its economic achievements, diplomatic resolve, and future vision on the international stage. Through in-depth dialogue and cooperation with democratic nations such as Japan, Taiwan is striving to maintain its development and security within a complex international political environment. In the future, relations between Taiwan and Japan are expected to continue rising across multiple dimensions, including economy, technology, and security, thereby generating more positive forces for the stability of cross-Strait relations and regional peace. (Source: Central News Agency)