Former premier Vincent Siew (蕭萬長) plans to visit China next week to sound out Beijing's response to his concept of a "cross-strait common market" as a means for soothing cross-strait ties.
"The two sides should look beyond their political feud in a world marked by increasing globalization," Siew said yesterday.
If the trip is approved by the government, Siew will be the second KMT vice chairman to visit China in six months, although he said he will travel in his capacity as a private citizen. The Ministry of the Interior is expected to review his case today.
On Wednesday, the Cabinet proposed imposing a fine -- ranging from NT$200,000 to NT$1 million -- on ex-officials involved in national security who travel to China without permission.
Siew and 20 local business leaders plan to visit Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen from May 8 until May 16. Before stepping down as premier last May, Siew served as chairman of the Mainland Affairs Council from 1994 to 1995.
Siew's idea of a regional common market has the backing of President Chen Shui-bian (
The foundation was set up with Siew and 19 leading industrialists donating NT$5 million each.
They envisage Taiwan and China normalizing trade relations at the first stage and signing a free trade pact and harmonizing their regulations and standards at the next stage. Under his plan, the two sides would harmonize their customs duties and monetary policies in the third stage, paving the way for the establishment of a common market.
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