Taiwan-based Ma Ying-jeou Culture and Education Foundation announced on Monday that it plans to invite 40 faculty members and students from seven mainland universities to visit the island, following a successful visit of mainland college students in 2023.
According to Hsiao Hsu-tsen, executive director of the foundation, the visit is scheduled to take place from Nov 27 for nine days and eight nights. The mainland students and teachers will be from Peking University, Tsinghua University, Fudan University, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhejiang University, Fujian Normal University and Beijing Sport University. The students will include Olympic champions, table tennis gold medalist Ma Long from Beijing Sport University, and shooting gold medalist Yang Qian from Tsinghua University.
They will visit six universities in Taiwan, including Taiwan University, Tsing Hua University in Hsinchu, Chengchi University, Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Chinese Culture University in Taiwan, and Chang Gung University, as well as the Taipei Municipal Zhongshan Girls High School, Hsiao added.
"This time, we have also invited Olympic men's table tennis champion Ma Long, who is popular on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, as well as Olympic women's shooting champion Yang Qian. I hope they will interact and exchange with students in Taiwan during the nine-day and eight-night visit," said Hsiao.
Hsiao also said that the foundation will submit applications to relevant authorities and hopes for swift approval to facilitate the visit.
"Without exchanges at various levels, there will be fewer opportunities for mutual understanding between the two sides of the Strait, which could result in unnecessary misunderstandings. We urge the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to be more confident and open, rather than retrogressing and isolating both sides of the Strait through political maneuvering," said the executive director.
In addition, the itinerary will also include visits to scenic spots such as Sun Moon Lake so that mainland students will have an in-depth understanding of Taiwan's history and natural beauty. The foundation will also arrange baseball experience activities for mainland visitors, allowing them to engage firsthand with Taiwan's popular baseball culture.
This is the second such visit planned by the foundation. In 2023, faculty members and students from five mainland universities were warmly received across Taiwan, positively impacting cross-Strait relations.
In 2023 and 2024, Ma Ying-jeou, former chairman of the Chinese Kuomintang party, also led youth groups from Taiwan on visits to the mainland.
Ma Ying-jeou foundation invites mainland college students to visit Taiwan
As one of the most important players in global trade, China is playing a vital role in preserving and reforming the multilateral trading system, said Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO) on Tuesday.
Iweala made the remarks when delivering a video speech at the opening ceremony of the seventh China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai.
The WTO chief noted that China is one of the world’s most important players in global trade, holding a top position as both an importer and exporter.
"China is well known for being the world's largest merchandise exporter, accounting for 3.38 trillion U.S. dollars in 2023, but it is also the world's second-largest importer of goods, with imports valued at about 2.56 trillion U.S. dollars. In addition, China ranks as the second-largest importer of services, with services imports reaching approximately 549 billion dollars, alongside its status as the fifth largest exporter of services with exports valued at around 380 billion dollars," she said.
Iweala said China has been playing a positive role in supporting the WTO in its mission to enhance the multilateral trading system, help the less-developed countries and reduce trade tensions.
"Trade has been a driving force for development in China and more broadly in Asia, helping raise living standards, create jobs and reduce poverty. Trade continues to have a critical role to play as a propulsive force for growth and development, but also as a key ingredient in climate mitigation and adaptation, food security, pandemic response, and solutions to other global challenges. The rules-based multilateral trading system, with the WTO at its core has for 30 years been, and we hope it will continue to be, part of the institutional foundation of global peace and prosperity," she said.
"Since joining the WTO in 2001, China has been a strong supporter of the organization and plays a key role in building capacity for least developed countries, including support for their accessions and for South-South dialogue within the WTO. China’s constructive role and leadership were instrumental in the successes achieved at the 12th ministerial conference in Geneva in 2022 and also the 13th ministerial conference held in Abu Dhabi earlier this year. Key outcomes include the accession of two new members, Comoros and Timor-Leste; the adoption of the agreement and investment facilitation for development by over 120 members; the entry into force of new commitments on services, domestic regulation; an extension of the grace period for LDC graduation and a two year extension of the moratorium on e-commerce," Iweala said.
"As geopolitical tensions intensify, and signs of fracturing and fragmentation emerge in global trade and investment, it is crucial for political and business leaders around the world to collaborate on preserving and reforming the multilateral trading system to reflect the changing economic landscape. China's choices will be vital in this process, it has an opportunity to show leadership by taking on greater responsibilities and guiding WTO members in the right direction. Additionally, at a time when concerns about subsidies and industrial policy are becoming increasingly widespread, China can show the way on enhancing transparency with respect to such policies, a key step for fostering understanding and reducing trade tensions," said the WTO chief.
Running from Nov 5 to 10, the 7th CIIE has attracted about 3,500 exhibitors from 129 countries and regions.
China plays key role in preserving, reforming multilateral trading system: WTO chief
