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Concessions fine if unconditional: Cho

Taiwan will accept China's gift of two giant pandas and concessions on fruit imports and tourism as long as there are no political strings attached, Cabinet Spokesman Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) said yesterday.

The agencies involved with the issues are ready to negotiate with China over technical details, Cho added.

The Cabinet spokesman made the remarks after Chen Yunlin (陳雲林), director of the Taiwan Affairs Office of China's State Council, announced in Shanghai earlier in the day the "three gifts" to cap a visit to China by Chinese Nationalist Party Chairman (KMT) Lien Chan (連戰).

Noting that the government has formulated a comprehensive policy on relations across the Taiwan Strait, Cho said the basic strategy, direction of development and schedule will not change simply because of a single event.

If China's offer of pandas, fruit tariff concessions and permission for its citizens to make pleasure trips to Taiwan carries no ulterior political motive of fostering cross-strait unification, Cho said the Taiwanese government welcomes the "gift package."

Nevertheless, Cho said, accepting the protected animals must not only comply with international conventions and the provisions of Taiwan's laws but will also require official consultations to flesh out technical details.

As to China's offer to lift the ban on its citizens going to Taiwan for sightseeing, Cho said Taiwan has already opened its door to several categories of Chinese citizens for pleasure trips. Because of China's restrictions, Cho said, Taiwanese visitors to China have far outnumbered Chinese travelers to Taiwan.

"So long as China eases its restrictions, the number of Chinese visitors to Taiwan will certainly increase significantly. We welcome its `open-door' offer and will make necessary preparations to maintain order in the travel market," Cho said.
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