In his first meeting with the premier since being re-elected as mayor of Taipei, Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九), who often clashed with central government over the past four years, stressed the city's desire to cooperate with the executive branch.
At the same time, however, he firmly fought on behalf of the city government on a number of economic development projects.
"I did not come here to beg for money nor to squabble with the Cabinet; I am here to say that we will fully cooperate with the central government," Ma told reporters after the meeting.
"After the election, attention should return to administration of the city. Any political issues should be set aside," Ma said.
During the one-hour closed-door meeting, Ma and Premier Yu Shyi-kun exchanged views on a range of topics including economic revitalization, tourism development, environmental protection and public security.
Yesterday's meeting was Ma's first visit with Yu following last month's mayoral election.
The city government has fought with the central government over issues such as the location of the planned domed stadium, Sungshan Airport's status in the government's plans for direct air links with China and the postponement of the city's borough chief elections.
But Ma had promised to improve ties with the central government following his re-election and a meeting with the President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) on Dec. 13.
Cabinet Secretary-General Liu Shih-fang (劉世芳), speaking on behalf of the premier, said, "We were discussing how to make [ties] between the central and local governments better ? the meeting was conducted in a smooth and harmonious manner."
Ma said Yu had promised to accelerate the approval process for construction of the stadium. Plans would have the stadium built on the site of the old Sungshan tobacco factory near the Sungshan Airport.
The final review process has stalled due to concerns by the Ministry of Transportation and Communications about the risks to aviation safety posed by the height of the stadium.
"The construction consulting company has carefully determined that the height would not cause risks to planes using the Sungshan Airport as the domed stadium is not immediately next to the airport," Ma said.
Ma said the premier supports the project and had promised him that as long as the city moved quickly on the project, the Cabinet would do likewise.
The mayor also discussed with Yu how to improve the city's economy.
Ma said the city government planned to establish the Hsinyi district as a designated venue for international conventions and exhibitions, but that doing so would require an improved transportation system for the area.
"We hope the Cabinet will soon approve a loan of NT$45 billion for the construction of the Hsinyi Line of the Mass Rapid Transit System ? in order to allow for the start of construction within four years," Ma said.
The mayor again pleaded with the Cabinet to include the Sungshan Airport in its plans for direct air links with China, in addition to the CKS International Airport and Kaohsiung's Hsiaokang Airport, both of which are favored by the DPP government.
Liu said Yu believes the city's plans for the airport require further evaluation by the Economic Development Commission, the Ministry of National Defense and the transportation ministry.
Ma also promised to cooperate with the central government on the ban on plastic bags as well as on a number of law-and-order measures.
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