Thu, Dec 28, 2000 page3

• MAC chairwoman says links at risk

  UNCERTAINTY Due to a lack of prior negotiations with China, Tsai Ing-wen said yesterday the implementation of the links could run into trouble

  • By Chuang Chi-ting / STAFF REPORTER
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  Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文), chairwoman of the Cabinet's Mainland Affairs Council (MAC, 陸委會), said yesterday that Taiwan's opening of the "small three links" may be undermined by some uncertainties due to the lack of cross-strait communication.

  Yet Tsai said she does not think that China will boycott the "small three links" and overlook the requests of people from both sides of the Strait.

  Direct transportation, trade, postal and communication links between Taiwan's outlying islands, Kinmen and Matsu, and China, known as the "small three links," are to take effect on Jan 1.

  

  Mainland Affairs Council Chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen, left, exchanges ideas with Minister of Transportation and Communications Yeh Chu-lan about the government's "small three links" policy yesterday during an interpellation session at the Legislative Yuan.

  PHOTO: GEORGE TSORNG, TAIPEI TIMES

  Lawmakers yesterday cast doubt on the small three links' prospects for success.

  "How could the opening be successful without any negotiations with Beijing beforehand?" Chen Ken-te (陳根德), a KMT lawmaker, asked Tsai.

  Tsai responded that "The lack of negotiations and dialogue between the two sides could cause uncertainties over the opening of the small three links."

  China's stance on the small three links remains unclear. China has said it will only open talks with Taiwan if the latter embraces the "one China principle."

  One lawmaker questioned whether the government would be responsible for "any losses incurred by Taiwanese people if they cannot get ashore in China after the small links begin."

  Tsai responded that, "The Taiwanese people have to be responsible for any risks they encounter during their cross-strait trips if the trip is made without China's approval."

  Tsai said she believes that China will respect the needs of people on both sides for free interaction.

  "The small three links started when China encouraged small-scale trading in the 1990s. I don't think they will regress," Tsai said, expressing her view that China would be unlikely to boycott the existing trade between Taiwan's outlying islands and China's coastal cities.

  "Both sides are obliged to tackle issues related to the links if the people's wishes are to be taken into account. I think Beijing has the wisdom," Tsai said.

  Tsai restated yesterday that the current aim of the small three links is only to decriminalize illegal trading that already exists in the Taiwan Strait.

  It is also to keep the potential risks attached to links with China to a minimum, she said.

  But lawmakers said the opening of the small three links would not benefit Kinmen and Matsu residents.

  "More restrictions following the decriminalization only increase problems for them," some lawmakers said.

  Tsai responded that "pangs before childbirth" were inevitable before a framework for economic development furthered by the small three links was completed.

  She also said the opening of the small three links provides better legal protection to Taiwanese people. "Inspection of goods from China is an example," she said.

  Tsai said the government would gradually advance the small three links to enhance business profits for the residents of the two islands.

  She said although the public has great expectations of the small three links, everything should be done step by step.

  Meanwhile, China has refused permission for a trial run to the Chinese port of Xiamen that was to be led by KMT lawmaker Chen Ching-pao (陳清寶) today.

  Chen said Xiamen authorities refused permission for the trial run Tuesday evening because the two sides had never talked about the issues involved and because the authorities believed the trip had not earned the MAC's approval.

  Chen suggested Taiwanese officials keep a low profile on the opening of the small three links.

  "The more we emphasize that we have full control of the operation, the less friendly the Beijing authorities are," he said.

  He said China's demands that a religious group from Matsu postpone a visit to a Chinese temple were a good example.

  The trip, in which 500 people were expected to participate, was scheduled to depart from the island on Jan 1.

  China has asked the group to go one day later, instead. Chen said China had made the request to show that Taiwan is not controlling the situation.

  Chen said Beijing cares for only Taiwan's approval of the "one China principle" and comprehensive direct links with China.

  "Taiwan, in any case, should work on enhancing mutual trust between both sides for future talks about the three links," Chen said.
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