MAC Responds to Joint Proposals of the "Cross-Strait Elite Forum”
The First Cross-Strait Elite Forum held in Shanghai on September 15 to 16, 2005 by the People First Party (PFP) and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), was aimed at promoting cross-strait economic exchanges and cooperation through the discussion of related issues. The PFP and CPC made several joint proposals. Cross-strait trade and economic issues are very complicated. In addition, after China’s enactment of the “anti-separation law” (the so-called anti-secession law), China has launched economic “united front” tactics against Taiwan by actively engaging in exchanges with Taiwan’s opposition parties. In order to prevent false expectations within various sectors in Taiwan caused by the lack of related information available, the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) has made a statement and an explanation in response to the joint proposals.
MAC indicated that it has been the Taiwanese government’s consistent position and goal to develop peaceful and stable cross-strait relations and promote normalized cross-strait trade and economic relations. To concretely carry out this position, Taiwan should first build a mechanism for consolidating internal consensus. For example, a political party summit may be convened and a Committee for Cross-Strait Peace and Development may be organized. Representatives from various sectors as well as the ruling and opposition parties can discuss together the direction of major cross-strait policies and consolidate the greatest consensus. As for cross-strait interaction, cross-strait negotiations must be actively promoted in order to create a mechanism for cross-strait peace and development and an environment founded on the legal system. It is unfortunate that China is only willing to conduct political party exchanges with Taiwan’s opposition parties and has intentionally avoided negotiating with the Taiwanese government. The opposition political parties in Taiwan have been reluctant to hold a political party summit or participate in a mechanism to consolidate internal consensus. This mentality and course of action undoubtedly constitute the greatest obstacle in the promotion of peaceful and stable cross-strait relations.
MAC emphasized that relevant government agencies have worked tirelessly in promoting normalized cross-strait trade and economic relations in recent years. In accordance with the consensus reached at the Economic Development Advisory Conference in August 2001, government agencies have promoted cross-strait trade and economic development under the principles of “Putting Taiwan’s interest first, while maintaining a global perspective, in order to attain mutual benefit with sound risk management.” Continuous adjustments have been made in cross-strait trade and economic policies to gradually transform indirect and uni-directional cross-strait trades into direct and bi-directional exchanges. These adjustments include: the implementation of the “Mini-Three-Links” at Kinmen and Matsu, the expansion of the functions and scope of “Offshore Shipping Center,” the adoption of the “proactive liberalization with effective management” principle to replace the “no haste, be patient” policy toward China-bound investment, the opening up of direct trading between both sides of the Strait and the importation of more China-made products, the relaxation of direct remittances and the establishment of office branches in China by financial institutions, the expansion of the scope of trade, economic and industrial activities engaged in by Chinese people visiting Taiwan, the relaxation of visits to Taiwan by Chinese tourists, and the implementation of the freight facilitation measures and the Lunar New Year charter flights. To further promote normalized cross-strait trade and economic relations and implement comprehensive, direct, and bi-directional trade exchanges, the Chinese authorities must first adjust their flawed policies toward Taiwan and stop all inappropriate actions aimed at dividing Taiwan. Moreover, they must make an active, positive, and concrete response to the negotiation of the three priority issues proposed by Taiwan. These issues are: the cargo and passenger charter flights, Taiwan’s agricultural exports to China, and the visits to Taiwan by Chinese tourists. This is aimed at gradually guiding cross-strait relations back on track and ushering in a new era of cross-strait communication and negotiations.
MAC indicated that the government will not prohibit political parties and other civic organizations from conducting exchanges with China, as long as they abide by the relevant regulations under the “Act Governing Relations between Peoples of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area.” However, they must be cautious when dealing with China regarding cross-strait policies, to avoid being exploited and creating a division within Taiwan. MAC urged civic organizations to maintain the same pace as the government in handling related policies, so that China will respect Taiwan’s related arrangements. This is aimed at removing the barrier to cross-strait negotiations, leading cross-strait relations to a direction of healthy development, and facilitating gradual normalization of cross-strait trade and economic relations.