Taiwan should take advantage of China＊s growing economic strength but signing an economic cooperation agreement framework (ECFA) with Beijing without an exit mechanism could be dangerous, academics said yesterday.
Speaking at the Peace Forum sponsored by the Foundation of Asia-Pacific Peace Studies in Taipei, speakers agreed that President Ma Ying-jeou (醪荎嬝) and his administration had made tremendous strides in improving cross-strait relations but must closely scrutinize a trade pact with Beijing and establish better communication with the opposition.
Tu Jenn-hwa (債涾?), an associate professor at National Taiwan University said the government was ※ill advised§ if it neglected an exit mechanism in an ECFA.
While the administration said an ECFA could stimulate Taiwan＊s economy and increase chances of forging closer trade relations with ASEAN, the pan-green camp argues that an ECFA would harm the country＊s traditional industries as well as its sovereignty.
According to international custom, almost all agreements contain an exit mechanism to allow signatories＊ to withdraw, Tu said.
Exceptions include the Closer Economic Partnership Agreements (CEPAs) between Beijing and Hong Kong and Macao and the recent agreement between Beijing and ASEAN, he said.
Tu also said it was ※worrying§ that any future free-trade agreements might have to be pre-approved by Beijing and that so far the government had not implemented any safeguards should industries confront problems caused by closer trade relations with China.
Tamkang University Professor Chang Wu-yue (?拻埬) said that since Ma took power, the Taiwan Strait had transformed from a flashpoint to an area of peace. Cross-strait d谷tente has allowed Taiwan more international breathing space, as shown by Taiwan＊s participation in the World Health Assembly, he said.
※Many say the cross-strait rapprochement has been too fast. But the issue is not the speed but whether the rapprochement is right or wrong, good or bad,§ he said.
Mainland Affairs Council Deputy-chairman Chao Chien-min (猣膘鏍) said various polls have shown that Ma＊s China policy was supported by most of the public.
※Taiwan was a very isolated country and anger was brewing internally. Now, Taiwan is reaching out to the world, including China, to let the international community know of our existence and importance,§ he said.
Speaking to a group of expatriates later, Chao said: ※The previous administration felt that only through direct confrontation could their demands be heard. But in its eight years in power that tactic proved fruitless. The major difference between us and them is we employ engagement rather than confrontation.§
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