Taiwan is interested in joining Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank

World Today

Chinese Vice Premier Ma Kai (L) and German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble attend a press conference in Berlin, capital of Germany, on March 17, 2015. Germany confirmed to join the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble said on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Zhang Fan)

Taiwan is willing to join the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) if invited, Taiwan’s finance chief Chang Sheng-ford said Thursday.

When asked by lawmakers on Thursday, Chang said the participation would open up a good channel for Taiwan’s investment.

His remarks came after three large eurozone economies — France, Germany and Italy — announced their intention to become prospective founding members of the AIIB.

Britain last week announced its own decision to join the AIIB.

With an expected initial subscribed capital of $50 billion, the AIIB will fund infrastructure projects in Asia and is expected to be formally established by the end of this year.

The bank was initially proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping with a mission of helping to fund infrastructure projects in poor Asian countries.

The Chinese mainland has pledged a large part of the initial $50 billion capital.

Twenty-one countries including China, India, and Singapore signed a memorandum of understanding in Beijing in October last year to found the bank.

Story by Xinhua News.