The legislature yesterday stamped its approval to Taiwan's accession to the WTO, as lawmakers across the spectrum wholeheartedly applauded membership with the world's most influential trade body.
But even as ratification took place, scores of workers held a protest outside the legislative compound voicing their concerns that WTO entry may further exacerbate the nation's unemployment problems.
Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng (
All caucuses issued a mobilization order asking members to attend the ratifying vote. It took only an hour and a half.
Taiwan has spent the last 12 years campaigning to join the group that sets the rules for international trade. The country is expected to become a formal WTO member on Jan. 1, 2002.
Under the WTO framework, Taiwan must further open its market to foreign companies and improve its economic ties with China.
Taiwan has committed to making major reductions on import tariffs -- by 35.6 percent on agricultural products and by 31.2 percent on industrial goods.
Most of the reduction will be made immediately, with the rest of the changes coming by 2004. In the automobile sector, Taiwan will reduce tariffs by 17.5 percent within nine years of joining.
After ratification, Premier Chang Chun-hsiung (張俊雄) appeared on the floor to thank lawmakers for their endorsement.
The premier urged the public to rally behind the government in its attempt to tackle the impact of WTO entry.
But protesters outside the legislature kept chanting "No WTO!" They accused the government of caving in to foreign pressure and sacrificing the interests of local industries.
"Problems such as unemployment, pollution and foreign cultural invasion will worsen after the country joins the WTO," one protester said.
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