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Think tank chair calls for direct links with China

Taiwan should conditionally consider opening direct trade, postal and transportation links -- better known as the "three direct links" -- with China, the head of a think tank said yesterday.

Chen Po-chih (陳博志), chairman of Taiwan Thinktank, said that from the perspective of a "flat" world, the nation should consider opening direct links -- particularly air links -- with China on the condition that three prerequisites be secured.

Chen said Taiwan should launch direct air links with China if the nation's dignity can be upheld, if Beijing promises not to interfere in Taiwan's efforts to forge free trade agreements and if China agrees to remove trade barriers it has imposed on imports from Taiwan.

He made the remarks during a speech at a seminar co-sponsored by the Industrial Development Bureau and the Taiwan Institute of Economic Research.

He said the nation's lack of direct links with China was basically against the "world is flat" paradigm, in which multinational companies have increased their presence globally while funds move around the globe quickly.

He also said that if Taiwan were to begin "three direct links" talks with China, it should be a "package" of talks with all relevant issues included.
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