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Top China policy negotiator stresses economics in Strait

Economic issues must take precedent over political meetings to ensure a normal working relationship between China and Taiwan, Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) Chairman Chiang Pin-kung (江丙坤) said yesterday, adding that cross-strait relations must be “normalized” and “modernized” simultaneously to create a win-win situation for both sides.

“There must be a normalized working relationship between the two sides before any talks on a peace accord or expansion of Taiwan’s international space can take place,” said the country’s top China policy negotiator.

SYMPOSIUM

Chiang made the comments at the 13th annual symposium on Chinese modernization held in Taipei. Wang Zaixi (王在希), deputy chairman of China’s Association on Relations across the Taiwan Strait (ARATS), also attended the event.

Chiang said the two quasi-official organizations, SEF and ARATS, are in charge of helping “normalize” cross-strait relations, but it was up to the scholars and academicians to “modernize” the ties that had been frozen for more than 60 years until recently.

The thawing of the relationship began in May when President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) vowed in his inaugural speech to cultivate a friendlier relationship with Beijing.

UP A NOTCH

The warmth of the ties went up another notch last Friday when 753 Chinese officials and tourists boarded the first batch of direct cross-strait passenger flights to Taiwan.

“In the past, there were many obstacles blocking the development of a mutual trusting relationship. In the future, the two organizations will work toward removing these obstacles to create a foundation of permanent stability for both sides by focusing on economic concerns first, then political differences,” the chairman said.

Chiang said that the SEF did not throw a formal reception for Wang this time because Wang did not come as a government official but as a civilian participant of the symposium.

Chiang has lauded late SEF chairman Koo Chen-fu (辜振甫) for his contributions to improving cross-strait relations.
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