Number Four -- EDAC

By Lin Chieh-yu
STAFF REPORTER
Sunday, Dec 30, 2001, Page 4

To help relieve the political paralysis that was contributing to the deterioration of the economy, President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) invited heavyweights from political, business and academic circles for the Economic Development Advisory Conference (EDAC).

Yu Shyi-kun, secretary-general to the president, organized the conference and on June 17 started inviting political and business leaders to attend the meetings.

But the opposition's response was lukewarm. KMT Chairman Lien Chan (連戰) and People First Party Chairman James Soong (宋楚瑜) both declined to attend.

Nevertheless, an agreement was reached at the last minute for the opposition parties to send senior members to the conference, including Koo Chen-fu (辜振甫), chairman of the Straits Exchange Foundation.

Discussions began July 23 on industrial competitiveness, the investment environment, the financial situation, unemployment and cross-strait economic and trade relations.

The conference itself began Aug. 24. The 121 participants unanimously approved 322 recommendations at the three-day meeting. Speaking at the closing ceremony, Chen promised that the Cabinet would enact all the measures.

The most significant agreement reached was to replace former president Lee Teng-hui's (李登輝) "no haste, be patient" (戒急用忍) policy with an "active opening, effective management" policy for economic relations with China. Though the opposition said the pace of opening was too slow, industrial leaders welcomed the policy change.

The success of the conference boosted Chen's popularity and, according to a presidential aide, was evidence of Chen's ability to "ease confrontation and stabilize politics," redirecting the government toward a "new middle way."

Since September, government departments have briefed Chen on progress in realizing the recommendations. However, many of the 42 legislative amendments and 76 revisions to executive orders still have not been passed.