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- The precise time of the Third Chiang-Chen Talks cannot yet be confirmed; the Taiwan side has suggested Nanjing as the venue.
- SEF-ARATS consultations are primarily on an overall plan for the joint crime-fighting and do not involve individual cases.
- The MOEA is in communication with various industries, experts and academics regarding the ECFA.
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MAC Regular Press Briefing
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Briefer : Johnnason Liu, Deputy Minister
Date : April 9, 2009
Location : Taipei |
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
The precise time of the Third Chiang-Chen Talks cannot yet be confirmed; the Taiwan side has suggested Nanjing as the venue
QUESTION: What are the results of SEF Vice Chairman Kao Koong-lian's communications with the Mainland side during his trip? When and where will the preparatory consultations take place?
DEPUTY MINISTER LIU:
■ The consultations regarding the time and venue of the Third Chiang-Chen Talks during Kao’s Mainland trip were procedural in nature, not preparatory.
■ At this meeting both sides got an understanding of the progress on various issues and we are happy that following the efforts made by both sides there have been definite progress and results.
■ It's estimated that several more rounds of business meetings on the issues will be necessary before preparatory consultations can be entered into. We cannot yet confirm the precise time of the talks, but based on past practice the talks will take place somewhere outside of Beijing. We have suggested some places like Nanjing, the Mainland side has said a decision will be made after deliberation and discussion.
■ When the business discussions on each issue are completed, there will at the least be one preparatory consultation meeting held in Taipei.
SEF-ARATS consultations are primarily on an overall plan for the joint crime-fighting and do not involve individual cases.
QUESTION: Since economic criminals have been put on the list of those for whom it is hoped the other side will assist in arrest and repatriation, I'd like to ask whether our side has made any requests in the hope that specific criminals or suspects can be repatriated in advance of others? In their consultations have the SEF and the ARATS focused on preventing wanted economic criminals still at large from leaving the country in order to stop them from fleeing and escaping to a third country before the signing of an agreement?
DEPUTY MINISTER LIU:
■ SEF-ARATS negotiations only concern the system for cases in general and do not get into questions of individual cases. As for a name list, in the past as long as the prosecuting and investigating agency issued an arrest warrant for criminals, we would hand this over to the SEF which, in turn, would pass it on to the relevant agency of the other side to seek assistance from the other side. Currently, the list includes about 85 names.
■ This does not require a special notice be issued. All the relevant data have some time ago been passed on to the relevant agency of the other side via the SEF. The consultations between the SEF and the ARATS are primarily focused on the overall planning of the agreement and will not get involved in individual cases.
The MOEA is in communication with various industries, experts and academics regarding the ECFA.
QUESTION: What is the level of public support for the ECFA now? Also, could you please talk a bit about the details of the agreement on weekday flights? How many additional flights and destinations does the Taiwan side hope to negotiate during the Third Chiang-Chen Talks?
DEPUTY MINISTER LIU:
■ With regard to the ECFA, our government agencies have an extremely clear policy direction. At a time when Taiwan is faced with the trend of regional integration in the global economy, the ECFA means Taiwan’s economic development will be able to have a common development platform. We hope on the one hand to deal with this situation via the ECFA regime and, on the other, to conduct discussions with FTAs of other countries.
■ Currently, the MOEA is engaging in communication with various industries, experts and academics dealing with the future economic impact of the ECFA on various Taiwan industries. The relevant agencies are currently conducting an opinion survey of issues of concern to the public and the industries. After more complete information is released, we believe the public will then be able to understand the substantial content of the ECFA.
■ Therefore, our emphasis is placed on how to go forward with substantive planning for the ECFA, so that the public will understand all the benefits this will bring to them personally, as well as the country's efforts to preserve our future economic development.
■ With regard to the current level of public support for the ECFA, we will keep an eye on the trend of public opinion in Taiwan, but our emphasis is to develop the substantial content of the ECFA so that everyone understands it. Even more important, in the future there will be more accompanying measures that will be conducive to the positive development of the economy and, in regard to possible impacts, we will adopt feasible preventive measures to minimize damage.
■ As for the issues to be included in the Third Chiang-Chen Talks agenda, because discussion is still ongoing, it would be inappropriate to say too much about them. In terms of direction, however, we continue to communicate regarding the inclusion of scheduled flights. The other relevant competent authorities—such as the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, and the MAC, are pulling out all the stops in the hope that via negotiation both sides will move ahead and create an excellent basis for aviation development.