Taiwan’s hopes rise that China could allow free trade agreements
Deutsche Presse Agentur | Jan 20, 2010
Taiwan’s hopes rise that China could allow free trade agreements
Taipei — Taiwan on Wednesday welcomed a Chinese official’s comment that Beijing might not block free trade agreements (FTAs) between Taipei and third countries.
’If the comment is true, it will have a positive effect on Taiwan’s signing of FTAs with foreign countries,’ Kao Chang, vice chairman of the Mainland Affairs Council, told reporters.
China has until now barred countries with whom it has diplomatic relations from signing trade pacts with Taiwan, which it does not consider an independent nation.
Kao sounded a note of caution however, pointing out that ’in the past, it happened several times that Chinese officials were quoted as saying something about Taiwan, but they later denied having said it.’
He was responding to comments reportedly made Tuesday by Wang Yi, the head of the China State Council’s Taiwan Affairs Office.
According to several Taiwanese newspapers, Wang told a Taiwanese delegation in Beijing that FTAs between Taiwan and other countries would be ’good for everyone.’
Until now, China has blocked Taiwan from signing trade agreements with nations that have formal diplomatic ties with Beijing. Of the 23 small countries that do recognise Taiwan, only five have signed FTAs with Taipei, but those do not include the island’s largest trading partners.
The China Times daily and other media also reported that Wang said Beijing was keen to sign the proposed Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement with Taiwan.
The bilateral trade talks are due to start later this month, and expected to conclude by mid-year.
