Gov., Taiwan agree to boost education ties
Both will promote financial aid options, may collaborate on research
SANTA FE — A burgeoning alliance between New Mexico and Taiwan harvested a new agreement Monday — one that could lead to lower tuition costs for college students studying abroad.
Gov. Susana Martinez, who traveled to Los Angeles on Sunday to meet with top Taiwanese officials, signed a memorandum of understanding with President Tsai Ingwen that includes the mutual promotion of financial aid opportunities and possible future collaboration on research projects.
That deal follows a similar reciprocal agree-
ment on driver’s licenses that New Mexico and Taiwanese officials struck in June, while Martinez was on a nine-day visit to Taiwan.
Other agreements — including trade deals — could also be in the works, as Martinez and Taiwanese officials previously held discussions on energy-related issues, according to Taiwanese news outlets.
The Taiwanese government appears to have interest in cultivating a relationship with New Mexico, as it covered the travel costs for Martinez’s latest trip to California. The two-term Republican governor, who will leave office at the end of this year, was scheduled to return to the state Monday.
China has long claimed Taiwan as its own, but the island off mainland China has been ruled separately for more than 60 years. The U.S. Congress passed legislation this year seeking an increase in diplomatic visits with Taiwan.
Martinez’s office has provided few details about the nature of the governor’s meetings with Taiwanese officials but did release basic information about the memorandum of understanding Monday.
In addition to financial aid and research collaboration, the agreement calls for the promotion of bilingualism and private sector partnerships that could foster economic growth, according to a Higher Education Department spokeswoman.
“By working with Taiwan, we will be strengthening our contribution to education, technology, culture and economic development and encouraging future support and cooperation between the two governments,” Martinez said in a statement.
Taiwan has historically been a market for New Mexico exports but has not been among the state’s top 10 export destinations in recent years, according to U.S. Department of Commerce data.