Vice President Annette Lu (
On Monday, Lu had harsh words for members of the Economic Development Advisory Conference, which has proposed easing investment rules.
During a TV interview, Lu criticized participants of the conference and President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) -- though she didn't name specific individuals -- for their short-sightedness over policy.
She urged the group to "gather their courage and consult their consciences in order to take responsibility for the historical decision to remove the US$50 million limit on investments in China."
Down playing her differences with Chen, Lu yesterday denied that she and the president were at odds on cross-strait trade policy.
In addition, Lu said that she was only commenting on news reports that China intended to force Taiwan to accept unification through its economic engagement with Taiwan.
Lu also said she hoped the media would not make an issue out of her relationship with Chen whenever she expresses a different viewpoint from the president.
DPP Chairman Frank Hsieh (
Hsieh said that all government officials should fully support the consensus, lest the DPP become an obstacle to the policy's implementation.
Hsieh added that as party chairman, he would look into the disagreement, if there was any, between Chen and Lu and help to resolve it.
Chen yesterday gave his approval to the group's proposal to relax the investment rules, saying "It's an inevitable trend and a wise decision."
"The government has to take a constructive attitude toward the `no haste, be patient' policy, which is to be replaced by a new economic vision of `proactive openness and effective management,'" Chen said.
Chen made the comments while visiting the Advanced Semiconductor Engineering Co in Kaohsiung yesterday.
Chen also said that the government would make national security a top priority while opening the door to China.
He urged the public to have self-confidence and not to fear competition.
"Only those who lack confidence fear business competition," he said.
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