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TSU caucus urges MAC to do away with `loopholes'

The TSU yesterday urged the Mainland Affairs Council to defend the country's sovereignty when negotiating with China, stressing that the "state-to-state" status should be adopted as the guideline for cross-strait talks.

"Taiwan is located at a very strategic point on international trade routes," TSU legislative caucus leader Su Ying-kwei (蘇盈貴) said.

"Other countries will not allow the Taiwan Strait to become part of China's domain."

Su said that many opposition politicians continue to pressure the government to make concessions, which will only force Taiwan to lose its bargaining position.

"To ensure national security, we suggest that the MAC amend the major cross-strait law [the Statute Governing the Relations between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area (兩岸人民關係條例)].

Then any remaining loopholes which China may use to manipulate Taiwan, such as marriage laws and trade with the outlying islands, will be eradicated." Su said.

Su made the remarks after a closed-door meeting with MAC Chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) at the party's legislative caucus office yesterday.

"She is prepared to spend more time communicating with those who express different ideas on the direct-transport issue," Su said.

The Legislative Yuan is now reviewing the draft amendment of the "Statute Governing the Relations between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area" and during the upcoming second reading procedures, opposition lawmakers will strongly advocate lifting all bans on direct links with China.

The TSU, as a 13-seat legislative minority, often defends the DPP administration. The party stressed that if there are too many loopholes in the country's cross-strait policies, Taiwan's bargaining advantages will gradually disappear in future negotiations.
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