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Su calls on business group to exercise moderation

Premier Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌) yesterday called on a leading business group not to boycott an upcoming economic conference, in response to the group's threat that it would withdraw from the event should the government fail to agree to four demands.

The Chinese National Federation of Industries (CNFI) held a provisional board meeting on Friday, where representatives concluded that their attendance at the conference, slated for July 27 and 28, would depend on the Cabinet's response to its four demands.

The demands consist of lifting a regulatory ceiling which limits businesses investment in China to a maximum of 40 percent of their net values, implementing cross-strait direct transportation, expanding the migrant workforce to resolve labor shortage problems, and preventing environmental groups from interfering with businesses' operations.

"Living in a free and democratic society, everyone should respect other people's opinions, exchange views and seek consensus among themselves, rather than being intransigent and forcing others to accept their viewpoint," Su told reporters yesterday while at an event held by the Democratic Progressive Party.

Su said that the economic conference would be a very good opportunity for the government to integrate different opinions and reach a consensus on controversial issues.

"The Chairman of the CNFI, Chen Wu-hsiung (陳武雄) was my senior at National Taiwan University's rugby team. We are acquainted with each other, and I will talk to him," Su said.

Meanwhile, responding to a media report which said Su has been intentionally keeping businesspeople at arm's length, in the hope of highlighting his image of integrity, Su said that the report was based on incorrect interpretation.

Su said that he was happy to listen to businesspeople's suggestions and that normal interaction between the government and business groups was his expectation on condition that the public interest was not harmed by businesses.
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