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Business leaders begin to polish their resumes

With China drafting its wish list of business representatives to discuss relaxing trade and transportation links across the Strait, local business leaders are lining up to take the job.

"If the government needs me, I won't reject the call. The [direct links] policy can no longer be stalled," Formosa Plastics Group (台塑集團) Chairman Wang Yung-ching (王永慶) said yesterday, in response to remarks made by Chen Yunlin (陳雲林), director of Taiwan Affairs Office under China's State Council.

"It's a responsibility that I can not shirk off," KMT spokesman Wu Ching-ji (吳清基) quoted Kao Ching-yuan (高清愿), chairman of Uni-President Enterprises Corp (一企業), as saying after the party's central standing meeting yesterday.

While giving their endorsement to Wang and Kao's expertise, other business tycoons yesterday further urged the government to invite more representatives from the private sector to take part in the policy-making process.

"Each sector should have its own representative, authorized by the government, to participate in the negotiations," said Lin Kun-chung (林坤鐘), chairman of the Chinese National Federation of Industries (工總) during a seminar on special trade zones in Taiwan.

With various business groups grappling over who should represent the private sector, Lin stressed the importance of setting up a fair mechanism, saying "everyone is willing [to work as middle men]."

Liu Tai-ying (劉泰英), chairman of China Development Financial Holding Corp (中華開發金控), suggested that the government first hold group discussions among local business organizations, and later brief the government on any consensus achieved before sending negotiators over.

"The policy is so complicated that it may require a team, instead of one or two individuals, and a longer period of time to plan it out," Liu said, adding that the private sector's many contacts and ideas will help facilitate talks.

Liu, however, added negotiations on related matters including a foreign-exchange system, legal regulations and a dispute-settlement mechanism may be beyond the realm of businessmen and, therefore, government officials' opinions would also be required.

While lauding the new negotiation model, Liu also yesterday stressed that the new model requires full authorization from the government in conducting the talks with China. He also expressed his willingness to take up the job, saying "if asked, I'll force myself to take on this difficult task."

Shrugging off concern over conflicts of interest, Gary Wang (王令麟), chairman of the General Chamber of Commerce (商總) yesterday assured the public that "no businessmen will sell out Taiwan."
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