Deputy Legislative Speaker Tseng Yung-chuan (曾永權) called for Taiwan and Hong Kong to set up reciprocal representative offices to promote bilateral relations in light of what he called the recent detente between Taiwan and China.
Tseng, who is also a Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) vice chairman, broached the idea in a speech on Thursday at Hong Kong Polytechnic University on the development of Taiwan-Hong Kong ties in the wake of new trends in cross-strait relations.
CHANGES
During his speech, Tseng traced the changes in cross-strait relations in recent years, including the resumption of talks between the KMT and the Chinese Communist Party in 2005, the launch of weekend cross-strait passenger charter services in July 2008 and Taiwan’s opening to Chinese tourists last year.
He also acknowledged Hong Kong’s role as an important mediator promoting cross-strait relations over the years.
The issue now is to what extent Hong Kong’s role will change at a time when relations between Taiwan and China are improving and a proposed cross-strait economic cooperation framework agreement is about to be signed, Tseng said.
OFFICES
He suggested that Taiwan transform its Mainland Affairs Council’s Hong Kong office — Chung Hwa Travel Service — into an economic and cultural office and agree to allow Hong Kong to set up a similar representative office in Taiwan.
Tseng said that both sides should also work to strengthen exchanges through the Hong Kong-Taiwan Economic and Cultural Cooperation and Promotion Council and the Taiwan-Hong Kong Economic and Cultural Cooperation Council — civic organizations authorized by the two governments to conduct dialogue and sign pacts.
Tseng also proposed that Taiwan and Hong Kong negotiate agreements in the areas of economics and trade, navigation rights, medicine, public health and civilian engagements.
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