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Chinese express
concern over delayed trade pact
By Loa Iok-sin / Staff reporter, with CNA
National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference
Chairman Yu Zhengsheng (俞正聲) yesterday voiced his concern over the stalled
process to pass the trade services pact at the Legislative Yuan during a meeting
in Beijing with Straits Exchange Foundation Chairman Lin Join-sane (林中森).
It was believed that Yu raised the matter over concerns in Beijing about the
repercussions of the battle between President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) and Legislative
Speaker Wang Jin-pyng (王金平) over the latter’s alleged role in an
influence-peddling case.
“The trade services pact is a key development in cross-strait cooperation, and I
am quite confused about why some friends in Taiwan do not understand this,” Yu
said during the meeting. “It is certainly a very good agreement that would
benefit Taiwan a lot.”
Many people in Taiwan are worried that state-run businesses in China may take
over much of the market share in Taiwan, Yu said.
However, using the food and beverage industry as an example, Yu said that he
could not think of any such state-run business.
“The only restaurant that I think could be competitive is a Peking duck
restaurant, but it is not a state-run business, it’s a private business,” he
said.
More Taiwanese businesses are investing in China, he said adding the service
industry is actually much stronger in Taiwan, with very competitive development
strategies.
Despite concerns, Yu said he remains confident that the agreement would pass
legislative review, as it is good for cross-strait relations and would benefit
Taiwanese.
Lin echoed Yu’s views.
“I think the Legislative Yuan will understand the agreement is beneficial for
both sides of the Taiwan Strait, and it will definitely make a decision that is
good for the people of Taiwan,” Lin said.
He said that many people in Taiwan are doubtful about the agreement because the
contents were not publicized before it was signed. However, after more than 100
presentations by the government and 20 presentations to be held by the
Legislative Yuan in the future, people should no longer be skeptical about it,
he said adding it will definitely pass legislative review.
The meeting took place in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing during a trip
by Lin to see Chinese officials involved in cross-strait exchanges.
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