Next spring would be a good time for cross-strait negotiations with China since no elections are scheduled for the first half of the year, Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) Chairman Joseph Wu (吳釗燮) said yesterday.
In a speech to "The investment strategy for Taiwanese businessmen in China" forum held by the Strait Exchange Foundation, Wu said that the Chinese authorities often seek to delay negotiations by using the excuse that it is election time in Taiwan.
"However, holding elections is a normal activity in democratic Taiwan. Taiwan will hold national legislative elections in the latter half of next year and there will be a presidential election in 2008. Given that, we think next spring would be a very good time for both sides to start negotiations on concrete cross-strait issues," Wu said.
"We suspect China would continue to be in contact with the government after these two major elections are held," he said.
Speeding up the opening of Taiwan to Chinese tourists and the extension of passenger and cargo cross-strait charter flights are two issues that the council has actively promoted, Wu said.
He said he expected the Chinese government could focus on the common interests of the people of both sides and hold an open attitudes toward negotiations.
"But Taiwan insists that charter flights will never equal direct transportation," Wu said. "We urge China to put aside political prejudice and talk to Taiwan's government as soon as possible."
As for visits by Chinese tourists, Wu said that the time is getting ripe for both sides to discuss this issue since "many technical details have been discussed several times" through semi-official organizations.
"Taiwan hopes that Chinese people could visit Taiwan as soon as possible and experience Taiwan's democracy," Wu said.
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