President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) yesterday told Taiwanese businessmen investing in China that he hoped to reconvene the President's Advisory Group on Cross-Strait Affairs (跨黨派兩岸小組) in a bid to develop a cross-party consensus on cross-strait relations.
Chen made the statement while attending an annual banquet held exclusively for Taiwanese busi-nesspeople investing in China.
PHOTO: CHIANG YING-YING, TAIPEI TIMES
Chen reminded the business leaders that at last year's Economic Development Advisory Conference (EDAC,
At the EDAC, the group also suggested that the government put aside its political dispute with China and negotiate with the Chinese government on the "three links" and other issues concerning people's livelihoods as soon as possible.
In his speech yesterday, however, Chen remained cautious.
"The situation and the times have changed. If all the parties are willing, I hope that each will actively participate in the cross-party group," Chen said.
"Let's resume and make use of the mechanism of the President's Advisory Group on Cross-Strait Affairs and reach a consensus regarding cross-strait affairs."
Mainland Affairs Council Chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) later told the press, "It is possible for the group to be reorganized and
restarted."
The group was established in mid-2000, just after Chen was elected president. It was led by Lee Yuan-tseh (
The group produced what it called "three acknowledgements and four suggestions" (三個認知、四個建議) last year, calling for the government to deal with cross-strait affairs under the framework of the ROC Constitution.
Chen said that since the government came to power it has sought to extend goodwill to the Chinese government and that he hoped to "give top priority to peace and harmony" in cross-strait relations.
Premier Yu Shyi-kun, Vice Premier Lin Hsin-yi (
Yu told participants that Taiwan will do its best to normalize cross-strait relations. He urged Taiwanese businesspeople to support Taiwan as they seek to compete on the world stage.
Yu stressed that Taiwan "has to walk out [into the world]," but that in doing so "we will encounter a lot of difficulties."
Yu told the businesspeople that Taiwan supported them.
"A strong country can help businessmen who invest in other countries," he said.
Yu concluded that business-people should "think global, but remain deeply rooted in Taiwan."
Although the economy contracted 2.12 percent last year, Lin said he expected the economy to grow 2.5 percent this year.
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