Lisbon, Nov. 22, 2024 (Lusa) - The first ever Portugal-Taiwan Forum is to take place on Saturday in Lisbon, according to the organisers, to identify what they call "synergies" and "opportunities" for businesses on both sides, despite the lack of formal bilateral relations due to Portugal's "one China" diplomatic policy.
"It's not because of the lack of diplomatic dialogue that things can't be done," Den Chuang, honorary president of the Portugal-Taiwan Chamber of Commerce, told Lusa in the run up to the initiative, which will take place in a Lisbon hotel.
According to Chuang, "at the end of the day, entrepreneurs have a business spirit" and overcome barriers.
"As you can see in Taiwan, the Portuguese who don't have consular services are still there in a spirit of business, family and work, and there's always a way to keep going," he emphasised.
Saturday's programme includes speakers such as an official of Taiwan' Ministry of Economy, a Taiwanese representative in Portugal, Portuguese business representation and an estimated five dozen participants.
According to Chuang, "Taiwan is interested in developing not only partnerships, but also an investment and/or trade relationship" in sectors such as green energy, biomedicine and agriculture.
On the Portuguese side, interest should focus on "technology" and components, with Chuang arguing that a "direct supply would make a lot of sense for Portuguese industry."
Taiwan is still unknown territory for most Portuguese, he acknowledged, noting how the "potential for war" dominates in questions from the media.
"There is no business knowledge," summed up the official, who advocated organising more events such as Saturday's forum, business missions and going to business events such as the “second largest technology fair in the world” - which takes place on the island - as a response to this “barrier" to trade and investment.
The rift between the governments in Beijing and Taipei dates back to the long civil war between the Communist fighters led by Mao Zedong and the Nationalist forces of Chiang Kai-shek.
Defeated by the Communists, who founded the People's Republic of China, the Nationalists fled to Taiwan and began self-government on the island in 1949.
China considers Taiwan to be one of its provinces, which it has not yet managed to reunify with the rest of its territory.
China's government says it is in favour of peaceful reunification, but reiterates that it does not rule out the possibility of "resorting to force" if necessary.
Relations between Beijing and Taipei have deteriorated since 2016, when Tsai Ing-wen became Taiwan's president. William Lai, who was Tsai's vice-president and who was elected president in May of this year, has maintained his position of defending the status quo.
China has accused both men of seeking to deepen the rift between the island and mainland, and stepped up diplomatic pressure and military activity around the territory.
PL/ARO // ARO.
Lusa
