Urging China to Positively Respond to Taiwan’s Proposal Concerning the Cargo Charter Flights
The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) indicated today (June 15, 2005) that both sides of the Strait should deal with any issues based on the principle of “mutual respect,” and address them pragmatically through negotiations. With regard to the negotiation of issues on cross-strait exchanges and interaction, the MAC reiterated that when facing China’s enactment of the “anti-separation law” (so-called anti-secession law) and its active manipulation of carrot and stick tactics aimed at Taiwan, the Taiwanese government has clearly proposed three priority items for negotiations after carefully assessing the overall situation. The Taiwanese government has also entrusted the relevant institutions to assist in making contacts and arrangements for the negotiations. This has fully displayed Taiwan’s greatest goodwill and sincerity. We hope China will respect the Taiwanese government’s decisions and related arrangements regarding the negotiations. This is aimed at creating opportunities for frequent interactions across the Strait and launching a new era of “reconciliation and cooperation” for both sides.
With regard to the remarks made by officials of China’s Taiwan Affairs Office at today’s briefing (June 15, 2005), the MAC indicated that cross-strait exchanges, including agricultural exchanges, should be conducted through the execution of government authority. This is aimed at solving various problems systematically and to ensure that the Taiwanese farmers can actually benefit from cross-strait interactions. Agricultural exports will involve negotiations on related matters, including tariffs, quarantines, inspections and examinations, and customs clearances. These matters are highly-specialized negotiation items under the WTO framework. China’s Ministry of Commerce is responsible for handling WTO affairs. We respect China’s designation of the Association for Trade and Economic Relations across the Taiwan Straits under the Ministry of Commerce to conduct negotiations. Similarly, in consideration of specialization, Taiwan has appointed the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) as the agency responsible for integrating Taiwanese agricultural exports to China and serve as a window for cross-strait contacts and negotiations. This is the most appropriate arrangement in light of the current complicated situation across the Strait.
The MAC also stated that the issue of cargo charter flights has been of long-term concern for Taiwanese and mainland Chinese business sectors. The Taiwanese government officially announced the Cross-Strait Freight Facilitation Measures in September 2003. The government also mapped out substantive plans on the “two-way, reciprocal, and non-stop” cargo charter flights based on President Chen Shui-bian’s policy declaration in his address on February 16, 2005 at a Lunar New Year gathering of Taiwanese businessmen. The government has clearly appointed the Taipei Airlines Association to assist in making contacts and arranging negotiations matters. We hope that China will make a positive response to Taiwan’s proposal for cross-strait negotiations on the cargo charter flights. China should not avoid discussing the Taiwanese government’s substantive proposals by using the issue of passenger charter flights.