Mainland calls for disagreements over economic pact to be handled rationally
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A Chinese mainland official on Wednesday called for a rational exchange of views to solve disputes over the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA).
Yang Yi, spokesman of the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, made the remarks at a regular press conference after a media report said the island's "green camp" planned to launch a campaign opposing the ECFA.
"It is perfectly normal for some people on the island to have different ideas about the framework agreement's economic impact. People of different opinions should improve their understanding and solve disputes through rational and reasonable communication rather than resorting to drastic methods," said Yang.
The ECFA is intended to normalize mainland-Taiwan economic ties and bring the two economies closer.
The pact will cover major economic activities across the Taiwan Strait, including market access for commodity and services trade; rules of origin; an early harvest program; trade remedies; dispute settlement; investment; and economic cooperation.
According to Yang, director of the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office Wang Yi had articulated the mainland's view about how the island can benefit from the ECFA during an interview with Taiwan-based Want Daily Tuesday.
"The mainland will try to select products that will benefit Taiwan's medium- and small-sized companies and local residents when it comes to tax reduction as part of an early harvest program," Yang quoted Wang as saying.
Wang said that the mainland's request for tax reductions will not affect the island's vulnerable industries.
Wang said that the mainland does not intend to export labor to Taiwan and will not require the island to further increase its imports of mainland farm products.
As long as both sides can "treat each other sincerely and walk in the same direction," it will be possible to speed up the process towards an early signing of the agreement, Wang added.
