Premier Yu Shyi-kun said yesterday that the government will continue to "observe" whether Chinese Vice Premier Qian Qichen's (錢其琛) remark Thursday -- that China prefers to view direct transportation links with Taiwan as an economic matter that is "cross-strait" in nature -- represents Beijing's official line.
"Although Qian's remarks are highly credible, from the point of view of our government, we should cautiously observe whether China will remain consistent and stable," Yu said.
But Yu also took issue with Qian's comment that cross-strait transportation services should be run exclusively by Taiwanese and Chinese companies, saying such services should not be confined solely to companies from either side of the Strait.
Yu made his remarks in the Legislative Yuan yesterday in response to KMT Legislator John Chang's (
Qian said Wednesday that cross-strait direct transportation should be regarded as an economic affair. He also said political issues could be set aside by labeling the routes as "cross-strait" rather than "domestic" or "international."
Chen Ming-tong (陳明通), the vice chairman of the council said, "Our long-standing stance toward cross-strait transportation remains unchanged. We hope that China will not set preconditions. We also expect the government to be able to exercise its powers during the negotiation process. In such circumstances, Taiwan could adopt flexible measures to push for the cross-strait talks."
Chen's comment was a thinly veiled reference to the "one China" principle -- another issue which Qian said on Wednesday could be set aside for the purposes of negotiations on direct links -- and to the government's insistence that it, rather than its civil representatives, have the final say on the signing of any agreement.
Chen was speaking at a routine weekly news conference yesterday.
He added that the key to opening up cross-strait transportation is negotiation. "We hope Chinese authorities will adopt concrete and practical steps to resume cross-strait talks. The question of how we label transportation links between Taiwan and China should be discussed at the negotiating table."
He said that instead of unilaterally issuing their statements, China should sit down and talk.
"We will not change our plans for cross-strait transportation, which are already decided. What we should do is find an appropriate time to initiate negotiations on the matter," Chen said.
Meanwhile, Beijing's official English-language newspaper, China Daily, reported Qian's remarks yesterday.
The newspaper described the move as a goodwill gesture designed to encourage the resumption of direct trade, transport and postal services -- known as the "three links" -- which have been banned since 1949.
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