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Presidential election 2008: 17 days to go: Ma promises pragmatic policies

Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) presidential candidate Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) yesterday promised to open up the nation's real estate market to Chinese investors in no more than six months if he is elected president on March 22.

With the implementation of his promise to open weekend charter flights across the Taiwan Strait in July, it would not be too long before his administration allowed Chinese investment in the local real estate market if he were elected, Ma said.

"I can't give you an exact timetable now, but opening up Chinese investment within six months should not be a problem," Ma said while meeting members of the construction industry in Taipei.

In response to calls from construction industry representatives to allow Chinese investment in the local real estate market, Ma promoted his campaign platform of normalizing cross-strait relations, opening up the real estate market and boosting business for the industry.

Ma reiterated his pledge to normalize cross-strait relations and strengthen the nation's economic ties with China later yesterday during a meeting with foreign ambassadors and foreign press at the Taipei Armed Forces Hero House.

Ma promised to seek talks aimed at normalization of economic and cultural exchanges and work toward a peace agreement with China based on "three noes": no talks on reunification during his term of office, no pursuit of de jure independence and no use of force by either side.

On foreign relations, Ma vowed to continue seeking security relations with the US and maintain the nation's defense budget at 3 percent of the GDP or more if elected.

"We won't decrease arms purchases from the US, but the nation's needs, government's financial situation and cross-strait relations are things we need to consider when it comes to arms procurements," Ma said.

Ma lashed out at the Democratic Progressive Party for wasting time, money and energy on "symbolism," and promised to conduct foreign policy under pragmatism.

American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Director Stephen Young yesterday also attended the meeting, but declined to say whether he showed up at the event to support Ma.

"Both sides have interesting ideas ? I am here today to listen to Ma's comments," Young said when approached for comment.

Stressing that he supported Taiwan's democracy, Young would not say whether he met with Ma's staffmember John Feng (馮寄台) on Feb. 28, adding he would explain the matter at an appropriate time.

"It's not the right timing to discuss this ? We should all listen to the Taiwanese people's voice. They will make their decisions on the 22nd," he said.

Feng acknowledged that he had met with an AIT official on Feb. 28 to discuss presidential elections and Ma's green card issue.
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