|
ˇ@
Learn about
the ECFA
ˇ@
Monday, Jan 04, 2010,
Page 8
In the words of Premier Wu Den-yih (§d´°¸q), the proposed economic cooperation
framework agreement (ECFA) is like a rose. It smells good but has thorns.
An ECFA could help Taiwanese businesses raise their competitiveness by
challenging Chinese firms. Maybe they could even discover their own Blue Ocean
strategies. An increase in Taiwanˇ¦s GDP could also be expected.
However, an ECFA may increase Taiwanˇ¦s economic dependence on the Chinese
market. The wages of Taiwanese workers may fall to balance their Chinese
counterparts and some in certain industries may even lose their jobs.
Although some people may lose out during the implementation of the ECFA, Taiwan
has to move on. And the signing of an ECFA may be the right way. Taiwanese
products could be exported to China or through China to 13 other Asian countries
without tariffs. That could mean ˇ§Made in Taiwanˇ¨ may begin to compete with
ˇ§Made in Chinaˇ¨ at the same price level.
Cross-strait economic ties would deepen as well as Taiwanˇ¦s links with the
international market. What is needed are not protests against an ECFA but more
knowledge of it.
JESSICA SU
Taipei
|
