Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) lawmakers yesterday called on their Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) counterparts to drop an amendment designed to ease restrictions on Taiwanese investment in high-tech items that are mass produced in China.
"The passage of the bill would jeopardize about 1 million jobs, raising the unemployment rate by about 2 percent," DPP Legislator William Lai (
Following Monday's discussion of an amendment to Article 35 of the Statute Governing the Relations Between the Peoples of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area (兩岸人民關係條例), the legislature's Home and Nations Committee was scheduled to continue its preliminary review of the bill today.
The amendment proposes lifting the ban on investment in petrochemical products, medium to large-sized panels, testing and packaging services, eight-inch (200mm) wafer foundries using 0.18-micron process technology and 12-inch (300mm) wafer foundries in China, Lai said.
"As of 2006, total output value, excluding that of wafer foundries, amounted to NT$2.47 trillion [US$74.6 billion] and created 1 million jobs in related industries," Lai said.
DPP Legislator Wang Sing-nan (
In response, KMT Legislator Lee Chi-chu (
"It is a `policy.' Whether you are for it or against it, we should all be open to discussion of the issue. Instead of holding a press conference to issue criticisms, why not just join the debate in the committee [today]," she said.
Lee dismissed the charges that the bill would lead to rising unemployment as labor shortages are one of the problems faced by high-tech industries.
With some of these industries relocating to China, this could ease the pressure on labor supply, allowing workers to enter higher-level technology industries at home, Lee said.
Palauan President Surangel Whipps Jr arrived in Taiwan last night to kick off his first visit to the country since beginning his second term earlier this year. After arriving at Taoyuan International Airport at around 6:30 pm, Whipps and his delegation were welcomed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍). Speaking to gathered media, the Palauan leader said he was excited and honored to be back in Taiwan on his first state visit to Taiwan since he was sworn in this January. Among those traveling with Whipps is Minister of State Gustav N. Aitaro, Public Infrastructure
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