In an exclusive interview with China.org.cn, Chin Ching-sheng,
secretary-general of Taiwan's People First Party (PFP), enthused
about the positive investment and finance climate that
Taiwan-funded companies now enjoyed in the mainland and promised
that closer mainland-Taiwan relations would bring about positive
economic development of the whole Asia-Pacific region.
Chin Ching-sheng
He stated that the mainland has become Taiwan's No.1 export
market, with Taiwan standing as the mainland's second largest
import market, a reminder of the economic symbiosis existing across
the Straits.
"Trade between the mainland and Taiwan reached a record US$107.8
billion in 2006, breaking the US$100 billion barrier for the first
time with an 18.2 percent year-on-year rise," Chin said.
"Last year, Taiwan imported US$3.36 billion goods from the
mainland, accounting for 11 percent of its total import. The major
areas covered included electric machinery and accessories, mining
fuels, toys and sports products," he said. "Meanwhile, exports to
the mainland were principally electric machinery and accessories,
optical products, plastic products and organic chemical
products."
Chin explained to China.org.cn that in April last year,
officials from the mainland and Taiwan held a forum that produced
15 preferential policies for Taiwan exporters. Agricultural
cooperation was also debated at an October meeting at which a
further 20 policies were hammered out.
He also touched upon the progress last year in terms of mail,
trade and transport services across the Straits with, for example,
the introduction of regular chartered flights for holidays and
special cargoes.
The National Association of Taiwan Businessmen, the first of its
kind on the mainland, convened for the first time in Beijing on
April 16. It is comprised of around 100 local associations of
Taiwan-funded enterprises extending to 25 mainland provinces.
Chin praised the association's creation, saying "It will
definitely promote the economic development of Taiwan and the
mainland. Through it, the rights and interests of our companies
will be better protected.
"Companies and enterprises face many difficulties, such as the
current political situation in Taiwan, the slowly-improving of
investment climate and the education of investors' children on the
mainland. The association can help promote improvements in these
fields."
He also urged Taiwan-funded enterprises to help deepen
cooperation with the mainland in terms of scientific
improvement.
"Our companies must be more open. The world is changing fast,
and we must update our industry to keep up. We should enhance
cooperation on the research and utilization of high technology," he
said.
Related: New Party: Cooperation Is Key in Cross-Straits
Progress
(China.org.cn by staff reporter Wang Ke, April 29, 2007)
