Wed, Jan 23, 2002 page17

• Finance minister takes on new role

  INTERNATIONAL TRADE Yen Ching-chang will become Taiwan's first representative to the WTO, and a number of observers say he is well-suited and prepared for the job

  • By Richard Dobson / STAFF REPORTER
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  Outgoing-Minister of Finance Yen Ching-chang's (顏慶章) extensive knowledge of the WTO principles and regulations, combined with his prestige as a former senior official make him a good choice for Taiwan's first representative to the trade body, observers said.

  Announcing his selection as the nation's first representation, Yen told reporters late Monday evening that the new role -- which was confirmed yesterday by Premier-designate Yu Shyi-kun -- would be a challenge.

  According to Chen Tien-chi (陳添枝), an economist at National Taiwan University, Yen's status as a former government minister and his strong understanding of the WTO ensure that he will be up to the task.

  

  PHOTO: CHEN CHENG-CHANG, TAIPEI TIMES

  "The candidate must have prestige, experience in the subject and negotiating skills of a diplomat. As a minister, Yen Ching-chang has that prestige and experience," Chen said.

  Yen's status and understanding of GATT -- and subsequently the WTO -- eventually put him at the head of a distinguished list of candidates which included Mainland Affairs Council chairman Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文), and Vice Premier Lai Ying-jaw (賴英照).

  In a recent interview with the Taipei Times, Yen said that he was "... a pioneer scholar on the GATT in Taiwan. I based my studies in the US particularly on this subject and taught classes on this subject at a university."

  "I also served as a government advisor at the time of Taiwan's GATT membership," he said adding that in 1989 he published a book on the GATT's operational proceedures.

  And while a good understanding of the WTO is considered a prerequisite, political and diplomatic skills will also be vital for the representative.

  "Yen's political skills are very good and his negotiating skills are perfect," said Huang Da-ye (黃達業), a professor of finance at National Taiwan University, who predicted Yen's appointment on a television talk show only hours before it became known.

  Indeed according to some it was Yen's political skills in particular that smoothed the way for his appointment to Geneva.

  Besides background experience in law, economics and foreign affairs "... the candidate must be trusted by the ruling party and especially the president," said Shea Jia-dong (許嘉棟), former Ministry of Finance chief and currently chairman of China External Trade Development Council (外貿協會) prior to Yen's nomination.

  Entry into the WTO on Jan. 1 was the most significant step Taiwan has taken in the global community for decades, as it has been barred from participation in international groups under pressure from China.

  "It'll be important for Taiwan as it will be the first full membership in a international organization ... Taiwan's representative must be pro-active to represent the nation's interests," said NTU's Chen.

  According to one official from the Board of Foreign Trade, the negotiation skills of Taiwan's representative will be vital as tough discussions over agricultural issues will certainly dominate WTO meeting agendas.

  How effectively Taiwan's voice is heard will depend upon how pro-active Yen and his team are in Geneva and how well they are able to balance the nation's small political influence with it large global trade presence.

  "Taiwan is in the middle of the road as although our trade is big our political influence is little," said Lin Sheung-chung (林勝忠), the current representative to the WTO.

  To achieve its goals in multilateral discussions, "Taiwan will have to work closely with other missions on many different trade issues. We do have solid support from various influential members," Lin said.

  Simply maintaining a voice within the WTO could present a problem, as many in Taiwan -- and indeed also among other members -- are concerned about the role Beijing could play in muffling the efforts of Taipei to play a constructive role in the international community.

  But according to Lin, this shouldn't be too much of a problem for Yen and his new team, as "normal WTO business is concentrated in trade-related issues, and for those issues each representative can act in accordance with his own perspective."

  "If there are disagreements, so be it," said Lin, adding that the WTO is a consensus-driven organization based on rules and regulations.
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