MAC Welcomes ECCPC Members Led by Hong Kong Special Administrative
Region Financial Secretary John Tsang and is Glad to See Taiwan and Hong Kong Further
Deepen Exchanges
Chairman Lin Chen-kuo of the Taiwan–Hong Kong Economic and Cultural
Cooperation Council (THEC) and Chairman Charles Lee of the Hong Kong–Taiwan Economic
and Cultural Cooperation and Promotion Council (ECCPC) today (August 30, 2010) jointly
held the first joint conference and economic and trade forum. The Mainland Affairs
Council (MAC) stated that the government welcomes all Taiwan-Hong Kong exchanges
so long as they are beneficial to the development of Taiwan-Hong Kong relations
and in keeping with the law. Being the competent authority, the MAC welcomes greater
momentum injected by the establishment of the THEC and the ECCPC into the positive
development of Taiwan-Hong Kong relations. It also expressed hope that this newly
constructed communication platform can further deepen exchanges and cooperation
between Taiwan and Hong Kong on many levels in economic, cultural and other spheres.
The MAC indicated that last year (2009) Hong Kong was Taiwan's
fourth largest trade partner, with a bilateral trade volume totaling US$30.6 billion
and the number of two-way tourism visits exceeding 2.86 million person-times. This
year (2010), the bilateral trade volume is estimated to top US$38.8 billion, and
personnel contacts will surpass three million person-times. Moreover, the Taiwan-Hong
Kong relations are extremely close in terms of financial, investment, transportation,
education and cultural exchanges. These exchanges and contacts indeed need to be
further reinforced. After nearly a year of contact and planning, the THEC and the
ECCPC were established in May and April this year (2010), respectively. Since then,
the two sides have met several times for working consultations. During the first
joint conference held today, the two sides reached a consensus in principle on the
future methods and areas of cooperation. An economic and trade forum was held later
today under the theme of "Opening a New Chapter in Taiwan-Hong Kong Economic and
Trade Cooperation: Opportunities and Challenges." Scholars and experts from both
sides were invited to present speeches and hold discussions aimed at exploring possible
future opportunities for cooperation. At the same time, the members of the cultural
cooperation committees of the two sides also attended a tea party, during which
they exchanged views and enthusiastically discussed future cooperation between Taiwan
and Hong Kong on cultural events, innovative industries, tourism and the preservation
of cultural assets.
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Financial Secretary John
Tsang, who led the ECCPC delegation, called on MAC Minister Lai Shin-yuan this afternoon
at the Council. Minister Lai first welcomed Secretary Tsang and the delegation on
behalf of the MAC, then noted that Taiwan and Hong Kong should have more complementary
advantages and bigger room for development in terms of historical ties, cultural
background, social and humanity development, as well as actual contacts. Minister
Lai stated that in view of current close ties between Taiwan and Hong Kong, an effective
mechanism for handling related issues is needed in order to further strengthen the
existing scale of exchanges between the two sides. Secretary Tsang expressed hope
that through the new THEC-ECCPC platform, the two sides can deepen mutual understanding
and jointly participate in and promote exchanges and cooperation between Taiwan
and Hong Kong. The Hong Kong side would work hard in goodwill and sincerity to continually
build benign interactions between Taiwan and Hong Kong.
During the meeting, the two sides reached the following consensus
on future exchange and cooperation items:
1. The two sides agreed to promptly begin consultations on Taiwan-Hong
Kong air transport negotiations and cooperation on financial supervision and management
issues. These issues are relatively mature and can be actively promoted, in the
hope of achieving concrete results in the near future.
2. In order to meet actual needs, as well as realize the promotion
of Taiwan-Hong Kong exchanges and make it more convenient for the people of Taiwan
to visit Hong Kong, our side suggested that the function and status of its representative
office in Hong Kong should be upgraded and that Taiwan visitors should be granted
visa-free treatment to Hong Kong. The Hong Kong side replied with goodwill to these
two suggestions and stated that it would seriously study and handle these matters.
3. The two sides agreed that in the next phase they would aim
at medical and health cooperation so as to support public health safety on the two
sides, as well as at mutual exemption of shipping enterprise income tax between
Taiwan and Hong Kong to assist the development of Taiwan's and Hong Kong's shipping
industries and upgrade Taiwan's status as an Asia-Pacific shipping hub. They also
agreed to strengthen cooperation and exchanges in other areas, such as education,
culture, customs affairs, and joint crime fighting.
4. The Hong Kong side said it hoped to set up a general office
in Taiwan and planned to establish a Taiwan office of the Hong Kong Tourism Board
in the near future. The MAC welcomed these moves and encouraged the Hong Kong side
to promptly provide specific plans for follow-up study and promotion.