The?Chinese mainland on Monday lashed out at Taiwan
leader's stance to restrict economic relations with the mainland
and pledged continuous efforts to advance comprehensive economic
exchanges.
He Shizhong, director of the economic bureau of the Taiwan
Affairs Office under the State Council, called Taiwan leader Chen
Shui-bian's stance to exercise more control on economic relations
with the mainland "a move against the trend of the times and wishes
of the people."
"Statistics from the Ministry of Commerce show that economic and
trade relations across the Taiwan Straits continued to make new
progress in 2005," He said in an exclusive interview with
Xinhua.
According to the statistics, a total of 68,095 projects funded
by business people from Taiwan had been approved by the mainland at
the end of 2005, with a contractual investment of US$89.7 billion
from Taiwan and US$41.76 billion actually used.
Indirect cross-Straits trade volume had hit US$495.81 billion,
including US$81.73 billion of mainland export to Taiwan and
US$414.08 billion of Taiwan export to the mainland, resulting in an
aggregate trade surplus of US$332.35 billion for Taiwan.
"The mainland is Taiwan's No. 1 export market and largest trade
surplus source, while Taiwan is mainland's second largest import
market," said He.
In his New Year address, Chen Shui-bian said that proactive
management and effective liberalization represents the new mindset
and course of action for Taiwan's future cross-Straits economic and
trade policies.
Relevant departments in Taiwan, a Chinese island pending
reunification, are drafting management measures based on Chen's
speech.
The retrogressive stance has met widespread opposition in
Taiwan, especially among the business communities, and sharp
criticism from the mainland.
"Compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Straits are brothers
connected with blood and flesh," said the mainland official He.
"In front of opportunities and challenges, they should join
hands more closely to support each other and work for prosperity of
both sides and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation," said
He.
The mainland has showed explicit goodwill and done much to beef
up exchanges in hopes of an eventual reunification, yet the moves
have met mainly cold shoulders of the Taiwan authorities led by the
"independence"-leaning Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).
The dogged pursuit of "independence" of Taiwan authorities at
the cost of people's interests has been criticized strongly by the
mainland, Taiwan and the international community.
Outgoing Taiwan "Premier" Frank Hsieh issued a warning to Chen
Shui-bian on Monday that his policies were not in line with the
wishes of the island's people.
"It's only reasonable that policies should have the support of
over 75 percent of the people. But it doesn't appear that's the way
it is now," Hsieh said.
In Monday's interview with Xinhua, He Shizhong said the Taiwan
Affairs Office of the State Council will continue to implement
existing guidelines and polices on pushing forward economic
exchanges and cooperation with Taiwan.
"We will concretely protect the legitimate rights and interests
of Taiwan business people and advance comprehensive cross-Straits
economic exchanges," he said.
During an inspection of east China's Fujian Province from Jan.
12 to 16, Chinese President Hu Jintao said the mainland will create
better conditions to support and encourage Taiwan businesses to
invest in the mainland.
He welcomed the Taiwan compatriots to participate in the
construction activities of the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing and
pledged support to non-governmental organizations to hold talks on
launching more regular cross-Straits flights as soon as
possible.
He also called for the promotion of cultural exchanges across
the Straits and more exchanges between young people.
(Xinhua News Agency January 24, 2006)