The nation’s top cross-strait negotiator yesterday remained evasive about whether he would request compensation and ask his Chinese counterpart to apologize to the Taiwanese public for the contaminated milk powder scandal and request compensation.
Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) Chairman Chiang Pin-kung (江丙坤) said yesterday that the foundation would definitely “communicate” with Beijing if the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) asked the foundation to seek an apology from China over the tainted milk scandal.
When asked whether he would ask his Chinese counterpart — Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait (ARATS) Chairman Chen Yunlin (陳雲林) — to apologize or bring up the issue of compensation when he visits Taiwan later this month or early next month, Chiang said he would “exchange views with Chen on issues placed on the agenda.”
Chiang said the administration’s policy has always been to address trade problems through the communication channel between SEF and ARATS.
Chiang said that talks on sea and transportation links would be on the agenda, adding that once such links are established, it would save not only time but also money.
It will also boost the competitiveness of Taiwanese products and make travel more convenient for people on both sides of the Strait, Chiang said, adding that he believed Taiwanese would support the normalization of cross-strait trade.
Asked about the effectiveness of sending a delegation of food safety experts and officials to Beijing to deal with the tainted milk powder issue, Chiang said the delegation, which returned on Monday, had fulfilled its mission.
Both sides have agreed to set up a direct communication channel and promised to cooperate on food inspection, Chiang said, adding that he believed the delegation had “made certain demands” during their trip to China.
Chiang remained tight-lipped yesterday about the exact date for Chen’s visit, saying both sides have to “closely cooperate” on the matter.
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