A lawmaker yesterday proposed a trial voyage to China before the "small three links" (
With only three weeks remaining before the opening of direct trade, transportation and communication ties between Kinmen and Matsu and Xiamen and Fuzhou respectively, lawmakers held a press conference at the legislature yesterday to express their concern about a lack of response from Chinese authorities over the matter.
"Taiwan has been carried away with its one-sided enthusiasm. We don't know what will happen if our ships arrive there on Jan. 1 if [the Chinese government] continues to remain silent," said Chen Ching-pao (
"I hope the `small three links' will open a new and better chapter in cross-strait relations, instead of creating more tension," he said.
Citing his own experience, Chen said he led a medical group to Xiamen in November to pave the way for the opening of the links.
"Though our team was received by the Xiamen authorities, they were unwilling to provide any concrete measures regarding medical assistance in case of an emergency," he said.
Chen said that Mainland Affairs Council Chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen (
The experimental trip is tentatively scheduled to take place between Dec. 25 and Dec. 27, and will go between Liaoluo Harbor (料羅) on Kinmen and Heping Harbor (和平) in Xiamen, Chen said.
"If and how the test voyage will take place will hinge upon China's response," he noted.
While preparations have been under way in Taiwan for the opening of the "small three links," China has so far not ordered the authorities in Fujian Province to take reciprocal measures.
The only message conveyed to Taiwan fom China on the matter was from Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji (
Analysts have said that China's reluctance to communicate with Taiwan on the matter was because the mainland leadership does not want to appear to be softening its stance on the "one China" issue.
Beijing has continued to insist on its "one China" principle as a condition for any cross-strait dialogue.
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