Lin Bing-huang, chairman of a Taiwanese business and trade association in Shunde, Guangdong Province, made the call during an interview with the CNA, saying that it is time for the government to establish a fund to take better care of taishang, as cross strait tensions are now easing under President Ma Ying jeou’s KMT administration.

Lin suggested that the Cabinet allocate some NT$30 million to NT$50 million (US$ 1.64 million) to establish a “taishang fund,” to financially assist Taiwanese business and trade groups, or “taishang associations.” These groups will in turn help the central government to take care of Taiwanese businesspeople in China who constantly face controversies and difficulties operating in that “factory of the world,” Lin said.

He said there are about 100 taishang associations around China.

Although the proposed fund will only allow limited subsidies to taishang associations, the contributions that these associations can make to Taiwan will be immeasurable, he said.

Meanwhile, Lin also suggested that the KMT administration seek to revise the existing statute governing the relations between the people of the Taiwan area and the mainland area so that China-based taishang could be elected as members of committees under the Chinese Peoples Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).

Since most taishang live in China and run businesses there, admission to the CPPCC as delegates will allow for their voices to be better heard and for them to have a platform for communication with the local and central Chinese governments, Lin said.