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Forum to boost economy: Lien

Former Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) chairman Lien Chan (連戰) left for China yesterday, saying an economic forum with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) was intended to revitalize Taiwan's trade and economy.

Lien made the remarks yesterday morning at CKS International Airport before leaving for China to attend the first "CCP-KMT Trade and Economic Forum," scheduled to take place today and tomorrow in Beijing.

Lien made the trip along with a group of party legislators, business leaders and academics.

Lien acknowledged the difficulties in holding cross-strait dialogue at the official level, but stressed the importance of "boldly facing the reality and trying to seek a breakthrough."

"Because of the globalization trend, both sides of the Taiwan Strait should strengthen ties in trade and economy to create a win-win situation," the former KMT chairman said.

He noted the efforts made by the KMT, the party caucus and many business leaders to help expand Taiwan's trade and economic ties with China, while criticizing the Democratic Progressive Party government for not doing its job.

"The government is not willing to make use of our efforts, and is therefore causing a lot of harm to Taiwan's economy," he said.

While Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng (王金平) showed up at the airport to see Lien off, KMT Chairman Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) was a no show.

"I had an important event this morning, so I sent the secretary-general to see chairman Lien off. I'm not worried about not being sincere," Ma said at the Far Eastern Plaza Hotel where he was hosting the 5th Plenary Meeting of the Asian Network of Major Cities 21.

Ma also dismissed concerns that the Mainland Affairs Council's decision to allow Chinese tourists to visit Taiwan if the two sides can agree on related measures may influence issues to be addressed in the CCP-KMT forum.

He said the KMT was glad to pave the way for more economic breakthroughs across the Taiwan Strait.

"If the KMT was not holding the meeting with China, the government wouldn't have made such an announcement out of good will. We approve of the government's decision," Ma said.

The council announced on Wednesday that the government might allow Chinese tourists to visit Taiwan if Taiwan and China can agree on measures to execute the policy within six months.

Ma said that this week's CCP-KMT economic summit had prompted the government to speed up the policy that it was scheduled to discuss in June.

He urged the government to play a more active role in the future.

"We hope that the Executive Yuan will make decisions without waiting for others to move first in the future," Ma said.

Lien is scheduled to meet Chinese President Hu Jintao (胡錦濤) on Sunday.

Besides attending the Beijing forum, Lien will also pay tribute to his ancestors' shrine in Zhangzhou, Fujian Province.
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