Small links test awaits approval from China

A possible trial run of the "small three links" will only come about if the governments of China and Taiwan both approve the trip, KMT lawmaker Chen Ching-pao (陳清寶) said yesterday.

"We would't bother with the trip if either of the two countries' authorities are against the initiative. ? And that is exactly the purpose of this journey: to better ascertain the attitude of the Chinese government concerning the `small three links'" (小三通) by testing the waters before the plan is officially launched," Chen, a legislator from Kinmen (金門), told the Taipei Times.

From Taiwan's perspective, Chen said he was very optimistic about the trip. He was unwilling to say that the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) had officially given the nod to his proposal, but noted that the crux of the problem was contingent mostly upon the attitude of China.

"We understand it is a pressing issue, with only a few days left before the trip is to take place, and we have been in close contact with the Xiamen (廈門) authorities. But you know their bureaucratic style and their reluctance to communicate [with us]," Chen said. "We've already passed the pertinent documents to them and now we are just waiting for their response."

The trial trip planned to take place between Dec. 28 and Dec. 30 and will go between Liaoluo Harbor (料羅) on Kinmen and Heping Harbor (和平) in Xiamen. In an effort to downplay the sensitive event, Chen said no national flag would be hung on the vessel.

"Nearly 80 people -- consisting of roughly 20 legislators, 10 aides to legislators, 40 journalists and some local representatives of Kinmen island -- have signed up to join the trip," Chen said. "The group will inspect the equipment at Xiamen Harbor, visit the Xiamen governor and exchange opinions with scholars from Xiamen University at a symposium."

Taiwan unilaterally announced on Dec. 13 that it will open direct postal, transportation and trade links between Taiwan's outlying island groups of Kinmen and Matsu (馬祖) and China's Xiamen and Fuzhou (福州) cities from Jan. 1.

However, lawmakers have expressed concern in light of China's lukewarm response.

Lawmakers have warned that Taiwan would only embarrass itself if it unilaterally lifted the ban on Chinese traveling without crystal-clear consent from China.

When questioned by the media about whether the experimental trip will be in violation of the law on the grounds that the ban will not be formally eased until Jan. 1, Mainland Affairs Council Vice Chairman Chen Ming-tong (陳明通) conceded that the matter deserved more discussion.

The trip will take place during the lapse period of the law, he pointed out, adding that the council would allow more leniency on the affair.

"I don't think it is necessary for the public to overly interpret the issue because we respect the thoughts of lawmakers and we know the idea will facilitate communication between Taiwan and China," the MAC official said.