A mechanism for the resolution of disputes between China-based Taiwanese and Chinese businesses will be included in discussions for a cross-Taiwan Strait investment protection agreement, an official of the Cabinet-level Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) said yesterday.
A dispute resolution protocol between China-based Taiwanese businessmen and the Chinese authorities will also be discussed, MAC Deputy Minister Kao Charng (高長) said.
Kao denied local media speculation that the mechanism for solving disputes between Taiwanese and Chinese businesses would be excluded from an investment pact to be signed by Straits Exchange Foundation Chairman Chiang Pin-kung (江丙坤) and his mainland counterpart, Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait Chairman Chen Yunlin (陳雲林), when they meet in Taiwan next month.
The speculation has led to complaints from Taiwanese businessmen operating in China.
Kao said, however, that the wording of the formal agreement has not yet been finalized and added that dispute resolution in the private sector is not commonly covered during international trade talks.
The Ministry of Economic Affairs said yesterday it was confident that the two sides could conclude and sign an investment protection agreement during the eighth cross-strait Chen-Chiang talks next month.
The ministry said in a statement that the agreement would protect not only the interests of Taiwanese businesses who conduct direct investment in China, but also those who invest in China going through third places.
In addition, the ministry said the two sides had also reached a consensus to expand the investment protection of Taiwanese businesses in China to include personal safety.
The two sides will also discuss more on dispute settlement mechanisms during next month’s talks, it added.
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