National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference Chairman Yu Zhengsheng (俞正聲) yesterday voiced his concern over the stalled process to pass the trade services pact at the Legislative Yuan during a meeting in Beijing with Straits Exchange Foundation Chairman Lin Join-sane (林中森).
It was believed that Yu raised the matter over concerns in Beijing about the repercussions of the battle between President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) and Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng (王金平) over the latter’s alleged role in an influence-peddling case.
“The trade services pact is a key development in cross-strait cooperation, and I am quite confused about why some friends in Taiwan do not understand this,” Yu said during the meeting. “It is certainly a very good agreement that would benefit Taiwan a lot.”
Many people in Taiwan are worried that state-run businesses in China may take over much of the market share in Taiwan, Yu said.
However, using the food and beverage industry as an example, Yu said that he could not think of any such state-run business.
“The only restaurant that I think could be competitive is a Peking duck restaurant, but it is not a state-run business, it’s a private business,” he said.
More Taiwanese businesses are investing in China, he said adding the service industry is actually much stronger in Taiwan, with very competitive development strategies.
Despite concerns, Yu said he remains confident that the agreement would pass legislative review, as it is good for cross-strait relations and would benefit Taiwanese.
Lin echoed Yu’s views.
“I think the Legislative Yuan will understand the agreement is beneficial for both sides of the Taiwan Strait, and it will definitely make a decision that is good for the people of Taiwan,” Lin said.
He said that many people in Taiwan are doubtful about the agreement because the contents were not publicized before it was signed. However, after more than 100 presentations by the government and 20 presentations to be held by the Legislative Yuan in the future, people should no longer be skeptical about it, he said adding it will definitely pass legislative review.
The meeting took place in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing during a trip by Lin to see Chinese officials involved in cross-strait exchanges.
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