The top priority for President-elect Chen Shui-bian
However, previous policy statements by China and the DPP show little agreement on the sovereignty issue and the possibility of reaching a consensus on political topics is not good.
Therefore, economic issues will be the major channel for reopening the door to peace. For Taiwan's own economic benefit and for the urgent task of easing China's enmity, Chen should officially abandon the "no haste, be patient"
The two sides now have close economic relations. Taiwan enjoys a massive trade surplus with China and is a major source of investment there. However, cross-strait trade, transportation and investments can only be conducted in a roundabout, one-way mode. The policy limits the development of Taiwanese businesses in China and imposes many unnecessary costs.
In the past, both the KMT government and the DPP have tried to use the "three links" as a bargaining chip. Calls for the opening of three were seen as a sign of softness toward China.
As the time for WTO entry draws near for both sides, the issue is quickly losing its value as a bargaining chip. Once the two sides enter the WTO, cross-strait trade, transportation and postal links, as well as other related issues, will inevitably come under the spotlight.
China will naturally demand the three links within the WTO framework. Taiwan's official stance has been that WTO entry does not necessitate the links, but this position is weak for three reasons.
One, if Taiwan only opens up trade links after WTO entry, then China can file a complaint with the organization on the grounds that a ban on direct transportation links affects the competitiveness of Chinese goods in the Taiwan market.
Second, the current General Agreement on Trade in Services also contains rules on the liberalization of financial, telecom and transportation markets; there-fore, Taiwan can't avoid the postal and communication issues.
Finally, the guiding spirit of the WTO has been open markets and free trade. How is Taiwan to persuade WTO members, most of whom have diplomatic relations with China, that its restrictions and bans on trade, investment, capital exchanges and transportation links with China are compatible with that spirit?
If it's in Taiwan's economic interest to open up the three links and if it will finally have to do so after both sides enter the WTO, then why shouldn't Chen take the initiative, instead of waiting until he is forced?
Why shouldn't Chen abandon the "no haste, be patient" policy and immediately open up the three links? Given China's low expectations of the new president, this announcement will come as a happy surprise. It just might be an opportunity to ease the cross-strait deadlock.
Hwang Jyh-dean is an associate professor in the international business department at National Taiwan University.
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