Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) presidential candidate Ma Ying-jeou made criticisms a few days ago over the government's policy regarding the cross-strait direct transportation links. In response, the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) issues the following declaration to clarify the remarks made by Ma Ying-jeou because his criticisms do not conform with the facts:
1. In accordance with the conclusions reached at the Economic Development Advisory Conference (EDAC) in August 2001, it has been the established policy of the Taiwanese government to promote the cross-strait direct transportation links. On August 15, 2003, the Executive Yuan released a report on the "Assessment of the Impact of Direct Cross-Strait Transportation." This report described the impact of the direct transportation links on various levels and proposed due accompanying measures. In accordance with this report, the government has been carrying out preparatory work for the promotion of the direct transportation links.
2. The issue of the direct transportation links is a comprehensive and complicated one, thus making it unable to be resolved overnight. Moreover, the mainstream public opinion in Taiwan supports the implementation of the direct transportation links in a sequential and orderly manner under the principles of “security, parity and dignity.” The government therefore has adopted a phased approach starting with the promotion of the “Measures for Cross-Strait Sea and Air Facilitation.” Over the past few years, Taiwan has implemented several important measures after having engaged in negotiations and interactions with the Chinese side. These measures include:
(1) The functions and scope of offshore shipping centers have been expanded and the partial direct transportation links have been implemented between Taiwan’s three major international harbors of Kaohsiung, Taichung and Keelung and various ports in China. (May 2004)
(2) Taiwanese domestic civil aircraft are allowed to fly through China’s airspace. (August 2005)
(3) The Lunar New Year charter flights were implemented in 2003, 2005, 2006 and 2007, respectively. In 2003, Taiwan implemented the charter flights that were one-way, with stopovers in a third country, and it began implementing “two-way, reciprocal, and nonstop” charter flights from 2005. During this same period, the points of destination were expanded from Shanghai to also include Beijing, Guangzhou and Xiamen; and the total number of charter flights has increased from 16 round-trip charter flights to 96 round-trip charter flights. A total of nearly 100,000 passengers have been served by these charter flights.
(4) In June 2006, four types of specialized charter flights (for cargo, holiday passengers, emergency medical treatment, and emergency relief/persons with disabilities or illness) were implemented. These charter flights continue to be in regular operation.
3. In order to lay a solid foundation for the cross-strait direct transportation links, the government also continues to negotiate with China on expanding the operations of cargo and passenger charter flights. Both sides across the Strait have held several rounds of negotiations and reached a high degree of consensus on related technical issues. However, it is apparent that the Chinese side has prevented follow-up negotiations from being completed due to its political considerations.
4. The MAC indicates that the government has never wavered from its consistent policy of promoting the direct transportation links in a sequential and orderly manner. Over recent years, the development and scope of the cross-strait transportation links have been expanded to a much greater extent than those prior to Taiwan’s first peaceful transfer of political power in 2000. In order to demonstrate the government's goodwill and sincerity, President Chen and successive premiers of Taiwan have for many years continued to urge that China should negotiate with Taiwan on cargo and passenger charter flights, as well as on follow-up direct transportation links as soon as possible. In this way, the government hopes to further facilitate benign cross-strait interactions.
5. The MAC emphasizes that the government has, from the outset, maintained a responsible attitude and has formulated pragmatic and thoroughly-considered implementation plans with a view to promoting the direct transportation links in a sequential and orderly manner and facilitating the implementation of such links through cross-strait negotiations. However, cross-strait negotiations cannot be accomplished only through Taiwan’s unilateral efforts. The Chinese authorities have engaged in political manipulations based on various motives, thus creating obstacles to cross-strait negotiations and policy implementation. Therefore, in order to smoothly promote cargo and passenger charter flights and follow-up negotiations on the direct transportation links, the ruling and opposition political parties in Taiwan should adopt a consistent position in urging the Chinese authorities to accelerate negotiations with the Taiwanese government. It is believed that Ma Ying-jeou should not launch groundless accusations and criticisms against the government; more importantly, he should avoid being unwittingly used as a bargaining chip in domestic political power struggle due to Beijing's political manipulations.