Taiwan seeks to build soft power with retooled southbound policyTAIPEI (Reuters) - Taiwan is seeking to boost its regional soft power by throwing its weight behind dozens of companies investing around Asia and by promoting areas such as education and tourism as it looks to reduce its economic reliance on China.  The self-ruled island is stepping up its presence in the region at a time when relations between Taipei and Beijing have nosedived since Tsai Ing-wen of the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party won the presidential election last year.  Taiwan must play an even more active and prominent role in order to participate in the future of the region,  Tsai said at an international policy-related forum in Taipei this week.  Redefining Taiwan s role in the region is one of my highest priorities as president.   Taiwan is targeting deeper economic and political relations with 10 countries from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), six South Asian countries, as well as Australia and New Zealand, a move some analysts say will likely further rile Beijing.     Tensions have risen since Tsai assumed office in May 2016, with Hong Kong seizing nine Singaporean armored vehicles in November after military exercises in Taiwan. China warned foreign countries against maintaining military ties with Taiwan, which it views as a wayward province.  In addition, Panama and Sao Tome and Principe have broken diplomatic ties with Taiwan in favor of China, leaving Taiwan with just 20 countries with which it maintains formal relations. Seventy well-known companies, including Cathay Life Insurance Co, Century Iron and Steel Industrial Co Ltd and Kenda Rubber Industrial Co are considering fresh or expanded investments in the region, according to an economic ministry official. A Cathay spokesman confirmed the company is eyeing opportunities in Southeast Asia, while Century Iron and Steel plans to expand its existing investments in Myanmar, according to a spokesman.   Kenda Rubber, which has projects in Vietnam and Indonesia,  is considering investments in other regional markets, particularly India, a spokesman said.   Taipei said it will provide such companies with greater consulting services and investment protection for their overseas operations and has earmarked an additional T$2.81 billion ($93 million) in its 2018 budget for the policy, 63 percent more than this year.        The policy features new initiatives, including visa-free travel for visitors from several countries, scholarships and internships for overseas students, and a plan to train 1,000 doctors in Taiwan over a four-year period. The push has already seen some success. Taiwan exports to 18 southbound countries grew their fastest in five years, up 13.5 percent in the first half of 2017.  The number of students from southbound countries to Taiwan rose 9.7 percent in the 2016 academic year versus the previous year, while southbound tourist visits climbed 36.7 percent in the first half.    Government officials acknowledge, however, more work needs to be done.   The policy s goal is broad and ambitious,  Minister John Deng, who oversees the policy s implementation, told Reuters.  To deepen the relationships, it s a long road.   Since its inception in 1994, the original southbound policy has been heavily focused on trade and overseas investments.  Tsai s  new  southbound policy is concentrated on several industries, particularly medical cooperation, industrial supply chains, regional agriculture, industry talent cultivation, and innovation-based industries.   The government is reviewing investment agreements with the Philippines and Vietnam, Deng said, and hopes to review agreements with all other southbound partner countries. The Philippines and Indonesia are big markets with stronger growth potential and are the most likely destinations for Taiwanese companies to expand, said Ma Tieying, a DBS economist.        Taiwan s attempts for a stronger regional presence will nevertheless face challenges, including resistance from China, which is heavily promoting its own  Belt and Road  initiative. Taiwan s official stance is that it will work alongside China s own push into the region, but an unpublished strategy recommendation paper guided by a presidential advisor and seen by Reuters, described China s attitude toward the new southbound policy as  antagonistic .  China is likely to pressure big companies in order to influence Taiwan s cross-strait policy direction, the paper said.   China s Taiwan Affairs Office referred a question on the new southbound policy to a response it gave in May, in which it said any moves that  run counter to the rules of economic development and are only based on considerations of political aims will only harm Taiwan s economy and the interests of Taiwanese businesses .  Already, at least one Taiwan university, National Sun Yat-sen University, has faced difficulties setting up an educational center in the Philippines. It was told by more than one Philippines university that a  Taiwan  facility on campus would not be feasible due to China s preferences, according to two people familiar with the matter.  Instead, the center was set up in a business district in Manila.  When contacted by Reuters, National Sun Yat-sen University said it met difficulties securing office space from partner universities. In the future, it hopes to give students broader educational opportunities including ones specific to Taiwan s language and culture, according to Chih-wen Kuo, Vice President for international affairs at the university.   No matter what Taiwan does, China will think that Taiwan is acting behind the scenes to gain something politically or diplomatically,  said Titus Chen, an associate professor at National Sun Yat-sen University.  Beijing will likely do its utmost to frustrate Taiwan s industrial and educational investment moves.  worldnews
taiwan seeks build soft power retitled southbound policytaipei reuters taiwan seeking boost regional soft power throwing weight behind dozens companies investing around asia promoting areas education tourism looks reduce economic reliance china the island stepping presence region time relations taipei beijing nosedived since tai democratic progressive party presidential election last year taiwan must play even active prominent role order participate future region tai said international forum taipei week redefining taiwan role region one highest priorities president taiwan targeting deeper economic political relations countries association southeast asian nations asean six south asian countries well australia new zealand move analysts say likely role beijing tensions risen since tai assumed office may hong kong seizing nine singapore armored vehicles november military exercises taiwan china warned foreign countries maintaining military ties taiwan views wayward province in addition panama sao tome principle broken diplomatic ties taiwan favor china leaving taiwan countries maintains formal relations seventy companies including pathway life insurance co century iron steel industrial co ltd kinda rubber industrial co considering fresh expanded investments region according economic ministry official a pathway spokesman confirmed company eyeing opportunities southeast asia century iron steel plans expand existing investments myanmar according spokesman kinda rubber projects vietnam indonesia considering investments regional markets particularly india spokesman said taipei said provide companies greater consulting services investment protection overseas operations earmarked additional t billion million budget policy percent year the policy features new initiatives including travel visitors several countries scholarships internships overseas students plan train doctors taiwan period the push already seen success taiwan exports southbound countries grew fastest five years percent first half the number students southbound countries taiwan rose percent academic year versus previous year southbound tourist visits climbed percent first half government officials acknowledge however work needs done the policy goal broad ambitious minister john eng oversees policy implementation told reuters to deepen relationships long road since inception original southbound policy heavily focused trade overseas investments tai new southbound policy concentrated several industries particularly medical cooperation industrial supply chains regional agriculture industry talent cultivation industries the government reviewing investment agreements philippines vietnam eng said hopes review agreements southbound partner countries the philippines indonesia big markets stronger growth potential likely destinations taiwanese companies expand said ma tidying dbs economist taiwan attempts stronger regional presence nevertheless face challenges including resistance china heavily promoting belt road initiative taiwan official stance work alongside china push region unpublished strategy recommendation paper guided presidential advisor seen reuters described china attitude toward new southbound policy antagonistic china likely pressure big companies order influence taiwan policy direction paper said china taiwan affairs office referred question new southbound policy response gave may said moves run counter rules economic development based considerations political aims harm taiwan economy interests taiwanese businesses already least one taiwan university national sun university faced difficulties setting educational center philippines it told one philippines university taiwan facility campus would feasible due china preferences according two people familiar matter instead center set business district manila when contacted reuters national sun university said met difficulties securing office space partner universities in future hopes give students broader educational opportunities including ones specific taiwan language culture according kuo vice president international affairs university no matter taiwan china think taiwan acting behind scenes gain something politically diplomatically said tits chen associate professor national sun university beijing likely utmost frustrated taiwan industrial educational investment moves worldnews
Your task is to classify the provided input as real or fake news. Label 0 is meant for fake news, Label 1 is for real news. TEXT: Taiwan seeks to build soft power with retooled southbound policyTAIPEI (Reuters) - Taiwan is seeking to boost its regional soft power by throwing its weight behind dozens of companies investing around Asia and by promoting areas such as education and tourism as it looks to reduce its economic reliance on China.  The self-ruled island is stepping up its presence in the region at a time when relations between Taipei and Beijing have nosedived since Tsai Ing-wen of the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party won the presidential election last year.  Taiwan must play an even more active and prominent role in order to participate in the future of the region,  Tsai said at an international policy-related forum in Taipei this week.  Redefining Taiwan s role in the region is one of my highest priorities as president.   Taiwan is targeting deeper economic and political relations with 10 countries from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), six South Asian countries, as well as Australia and New Zealand, a move some analysts say will likely further rile Beijing.     Tensions have risen since Tsai assumed office in May 2016, with Hong Kong seizing nine Singaporean armored vehicles in November after military exercises in Taiwan. China warned foreign countries against maintaining military ties with Taiwan, which it views as a wayward province.  In addition, Panama and Sao Tome and Principe have broken diplomatic ties with Taiwan in favor of China, leaving Taiwan with just 20 countries with which it maintains formal relations. Seventy well-known companies, including Cathay Life Insurance Co, Century Iron and Steel Industrial Co Ltd and Kenda Rubber Industrial Co are considering fresh or expanded investments in the region, according to an economic ministry official. A Cathay spokesman confirmed the company is eyeing opportunities in Southeast Asia, while Century Iron and Steel plans to expand its existing investments in Myanmar, according to a spokesman.   Kenda Rubber, which has projects in Vietnam and Indonesia,  is considering investments in other regional markets, particularly India, a spokesman said.   Taipei said it will provide such companies with greater consulting services and investment protection for their overseas operations and has earmarked an additional T$2.81 billion ($93 million) in its 2018 budget for the policy, 63 percent more than this year.        The policy features new initiatives, including visa-free travel for visitors from several countries, scholarships and internships for overseas students, and a plan to train 1,000 doctors in Taiwan over a four-year period. The push has already seen some success. Taiwan exports to 18 southbound countries grew their fastest in five years, up 13.5 percent in the first half of 2017.  The number of students from southbound countries to Taiwan rose 9.7 percent in the 2016 academic year versus the previous year, while southbound tourist visits climbed 36.7 percent in the first half.    Government officials acknowledge, however, more work needs to be done.   The policy s goal is broad and ambitious,  Minister John Deng, who oversees the policy s implementation, told Reuters.  To deepen the relationships, it s a long road.   Since its inception in 1994, the original southbound policy has been heavily focused on trade and overseas investments.  Tsai s  new  southbound policy is concentrated on several industries, particularly medical cooperation, industrial supply chains, regional agriculture, industry talent cultivation, and innovation-based industries.   The government is reviewing investment agreements with the Philippines and Vietnam, Deng said, and hopes to review agreements with all other southbound partner countries. The Philippines and Indonesia are big markets with stronger growth potential and are the most likely destinations for Taiwanese companies to expand, said Ma Tieying, a DBS economist.        Taiwan s attempts for a stronger regional presence will nevertheless face challenges, including resistance from China, which is heavily promoting its own  Belt and Road  initiative. Taiwan s official stance is that it will work alongside China s own push into the region, but an unpublished strategy recommendation paper guided by a presidential advisor and seen by Reuters, described China s attitude toward the new southbound policy as  antagonistic .  China is likely to pressure big companies in order to influence Taiwan s cross-strait policy direction, the paper said.   China s Taiwan Affairs Office referred a question on the new southbound policy to a response it gave in May, in which it said any moves that  run counter to the rules of economic development and are only based on considerations of political aims will only harm Taiwan s economy and the interests of Taiwanese businesses .  Already, at least one Taiwan university, National Sun Yat-sen University, has faced difficulties setting up an educational center in the Philippines. It was told by more than one Philippines university that a  Taiwan  facility on campus would not be feasible due to China s preferences, according to two people familiar with the matter.  Instead, the center was set up in a business district in Manila.  When contacted by Reuters, National Sun Yat-sen University said it met difficulties securing office space from partner universities. In the future, it hopes to give students broader educational opportunities including ones specific to Taiwan s language and culture, according to Chih-wen Kuo, Vice President for international affairs at the university.   No matter what Taiwan does, China will think that Taiwan is acting behind the scenes to gain something politically or diplomatically,  said Titus Chen, an associate professor at National Sun Yat-sen University.  Beijing will likely do its utmost to frustrate Taiwan s industrial and educational investment moves.  worldnews
Your task is to classify the provided input as real or fake news. Label 0 is meant for fake news, Label 1 is for real news. TEXT: taiwan seeks build soft power retitled southbound policytaipei reuters taiwan seeking boost regional soft power throwing weight behind dozens companies investing around asia promoting areas education tourism looks reduce economic reliance china the island stepping presence region time relations taipei beijing nosedived since tai democratic progressive party presidential election last year taiwan must play even active prominent role order participate future region tai said international forum taipei week redefining taiwan role region one highest priorities president taiwan targeting deeper economic political relations countries association southeast asian nations asean six south asian countries well australia new zealand move analysts say likely role beijing tensions risen since tai assumed office may hong kong seizing nine singapore armored vehicles november military exercises taiwan china warned foreign countries maintaining military ties taiwan views wayward province in addition panama sao tome principle broken diplomatic ties taiwan favor china leaving taiwan countries maintains formal relations seventy companies including pathway life insurance co century iron steel industrial co ltd kinda rubber industrial co considering fresh expanded investments region according economic ministry official a pathway spokesman confirmed company eyeing opportunities southeast asia century iron steel plans expand existing investments myanmar according spokesman kinda rubber projects vietnam indonesia considering investments regional markets particularly india spokesman said taipei said provide companies greater consulting services investment protection overseas operations earmarked additional t billion million budget policy percent year the policy features new initiatives including travel visitors several countries scholarships internships overseas students plan train doctors taiwan period the push already seen success taiwan exports southbound countries grew fastest five years percent first half the number students southbound countries taiwan rose percent academic year versus previous year southbound tourist visits climbed percent first half government officials acknowledge however work needs done the policy goal broad ambitious minister john eng oversees policy implementation told reuters to deepen relationships long road since inception original southbound policy heavily focused trade overseas investments tai new southbound policy concentrated several industries particularly medical cooperation industrial supply chains regional agriculture industry talent cultivation industries the government reviewing investment agreements philippines vietnam eng said hopes review agreements southbound partner countries the philippines indonesia big markets stronger growth potential likely destinations taiwanese companies expand said ma tidying dbs economist taiwan attempts stronger regional presence nevertheless face challenges including resistance china heavily promoting belt road initiative taiwan official stance work alongside china push region unpublished strategy recommendation paper guided presidential advisor seen reuters described china attitude toward new southbound policy antagonistic china likely pressure big companies order influence taiwan policy direction paper said china taiwan affairs office referred question new southbound policy response gave may said moves run counter rules economic development based considerations political aims harm taiwan economy interests taiwanese businesses already least one taiwan university national sun university faced difficulties setting educational center philippines it told one philippines university taiwan facility campus would feasible due china preferences according two people familiar matter instead center set business district manila when contacted reuters national sun university said met difficulties securing office space partner universities in future hopes give students broader educational opportunities including ones specific taiwan language culture according kuo vice president international affairs university no matter taiwan china think taiwan acting behind scenes gain something politically diplomatically said tits chen associate professor national sun university beijing likely utmost frustrated taiwan industrial educational investment moves worldnews