TAIPEI: A top Taiwanese official yesterday dismissed concerns that China will block other countries from signing free trade agreements with the island.Taiwan’s government is eager to conclude a trade pact with China, known as the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA), saying it will pave the way for similar agreements with other countries.
But critics are doubtful that China, which still claims sovereignty over the island, will allow it to act as a bona fide diplomatic player by striking such deals.
“From our experience negotiating with China… we don’t think it will interfere,” said Lai Shin-yuan, head of the Mainland Affairs Council, Taiwan’s top China policy-making body.
Ties with China improved after Ma Ying-jeou, a Beijing-friendly politician, became president of Taiwan in 2008, with 12 economic agreements resulting after the two sides resumed direct talks.
“Signing ECFA with China is a major starting point and we will simultaneously begin negotiations on the free-trade agreements with other countries. ECFA will make them more willing to talk to us,” Lai said.
Her remarks came after Taiwan’s Economics Minister Shih Yen-shiang confirmed Thursday the first round of ECFA talks with China would start late this month.
The opposition Democratic Progressive Party, which favours independence from China, fears ECFA will increase Taiwan’s reliance on China and imperil the island’s de facto separate status.
Taiwan and China split in 1949 after a civil war but Beijing still sees the island as part of its territory awaiting reunification, by force if necessary. — AFP