TT: What future do you see for cross-strait relations once the two sides enter the WTO?
Shi Hwei-yow (許惠祐): The two sides will be entering a global organization covering a range of economic issues, such as trade, taxes, services, and intellectual property. The shipping industry is not a concern of the WTO, but the two sides will probably have no choice but to discuss the issue as it relates to exchanges involving other industries. The fundamental issues will be easier to discuss if the two sides resolve certain issues within the WTO framework. There might be possibilities for discussing direct transportation links.
TAIPEI TIMES FILE PHOTO
It's too early to talk about what the WTO can do for the two sides. But if the public believes that economic issues are more important than political issues, especially in this sluggish economy, I believe that the political issues will fade away. Taiwan's public will tire of the so called "one China" principle or the "1992 consensus," if these have no positive impact on their lives.
TT: What's your understanding of the so-called "1992 consensus?"
Shi: The "1992 consensus" is not an appropriate term of reference for the discussion of cross-strait affairs. Su-Chi (蘇起) coined the phrase last year in an attempt to find common ground between China and Taiwan. He didn't, however, define it any further. Somebody else then defined it as "one China, with each side having its own interpretation." Then somebody else defined it as the "one China principle." There is a wide gap between the two.
China's "one China principle" means that there is only one China, Taiwan is part of China, and China's territory is indivisible; the PRC is the only China.
Su Chi wanted to establish as much room as possible to get the two sides back to the negotiating table, but he didn't define the "1992 consensus," which was unhelpful and simply caused further conflict.
TT: How do you view the disputes caused by the "1992 consensus" between the current government and the opposition parties?
Shi: The opposition must explain the issue clearly, such as what China has done to us with the "one China" principle.
China has kept changing its position on the so-called "consensus." What is there for the government to recognize?
When the DPP was in opposition, it attacked both Taiwan's government and China, but the current opposition parties simply demand that the government recognize the "1992 consensus."
Our political parties should work to produce a common foreign policy. Let's have sensible debate. The national interest should be above party interests.
TT: How will the SEF assist Taiwanese businessmen investing in China after WTO entry?
Shi: We have solved many problems for them, such as military service issues for their children.
We are currently working on further opening the "small three-links," including allowing Taiwanese businessmen to travel to China from Kinmen (
TT: Will the ban on Chinese citizens visiting Taiwan be lifted soon?
Shi: I am lukewarm on the policy. What are we really hoping to gain by allowing Chinese to visit Taiwan? "Generating revenue" is just a slogan used by certain politicians. How much money can we make from them? We currently allow Chinese businessmen to visit upon application. Would this be fair, if we allowed tourists to do so without application? Moreover, we need to see how much we will need to spend to upgrade security. I doubt whether Chinese visitors can stimulate Taiwan's economy.
TT: Is there any chance of Taiwan and China resuming negotiations ? Do you think China wants to negotiate given that Hong Kong newspapers and some non-government groups have quoted China as saying that "the PRC and the ROC are both China?"
Shi: China's desire to negotiate and its refusal to do so are both part of its strategy. Mao Zedong (毛澤東) said that negotiating is a strategy and not negotiating is also a strategy.
The Chinese authorities make different remarks when they receive different Taiwanese visitors. We should not view those remarks too seriously. I will take what they said seriously if Jiang or another official made the remark, "the PRC and the ROC are both China," at the UN. There are many facets to the question of whether there will be negotiations, and its too early to tell.
NO HUMAN ERROR: After the incident, the Coast Guard Administration said it would obtain uncrewed aerial vehicles and vessels to boost its detection capacity Authorities would improve border control to prevent unlawful entry into Taiwan’s waters and safeguard national security, the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) said yesterday after a Chinese man reached the nation’s coast on an inflatable boat, saying he “defected to freedom.” The man was found on a rubber boat when he was about to set foot on Taiwan at the estuary of Houkeng River (後坑溪) near Taiping Borough (太平) in New Taipei City’s Linkou District (林口), authorities said. The Coast Guard Administration’s (CGA) northern branch said it received a report at 6:30am yesterday morning from the New Taipei City Fire Department about a
IN BEIJING’S FAVOR: A China Coast Guard spokesperson said that the Chinese maritime police would continue to carry out law enforcement activities in waters it claims The Philippines withdrew its coast guard vessel from a South China Sea shoal that has recently been at the center of tensions with Beijing. BRP Teresa Magbanua “was compelled to return to port” from Sabina Shoal (Xianbin Shoal, 仙濱暗沙) due to bad weather, depleted supplies and the need to evacuate personnel requiring medical care, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesman Jay Tarriela said yesterday in a post on X. The Philippine vessel “will be in tiptop shape to resume her mission” after it has been resupplied and repaired, Philippine Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, who heads the nation’s maritime council, said
REGIONAL STABILITY: Taipei thanked the Biden administration for authorizing its 16th sale of military goods and services to uphold Taiwan’s defense and safety The US Department of State has approved the sale of US$228 million of military goods and services to Taiwan, the US Department of Defense said on Monday. The state department “made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale” to the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the US for “return, repair and reshipment of spare parts and related equipment,” the defense department’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency said in a news release. Taiwan had requested the purchase of items and services which include the “return, repair and reshipment of classified and unclassified spare parts for aircraft and related equipment; US Government
More than 500 people on Saturday marched in New York in support of Taiwan’s entry to the UN, significantly more people than previous years. The march, coinciding with the ongoing 79th session of the UN General Assembly, comes close on the heels of growing international discourse regarding the meaning of UN Resolution 2758. Resolution 2758, adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1971, recognizes the People’s Republic of China (PRC) as the “only lawful representative of China.” It resulted in the Republic of China (ROC) losing its seat at the UN to the PRC. Taiwan has since been excluded from