MAC should 'put on brake' if needed for healthy cross-strait relations: Wu

Wu made the remarks at a seminar organized by the MAC on the development of cross-strait ties and the progress of relevant tasks.

Wu said that the cross-strait tensions have eased significantly, and Taiwan's trade reliance on the mainland Chinese market has steadily expanded to 40 percent, with the surplus in trade with China already exceeding the government's annual expense budget. “According, we cannot ignore such a vast market.”

“But, the trade reliance ratio of 40 percent is quite high, it would be unimaginable if the ratio shoots up to 80 percent or 90 percent,” the premier said.

The premier continued that the mainland affairs policies should be based on the concerns that the nation's sovereignty and safety, as well as the people's interests should be safeguarded.

The premier stressed that the government's mainland policies are moving on the track of “peaceful development” of cross-strait ties, mainly to safeguard the overall sovereignty of the nation, and the safety and well-being of all the nationals.

“But we cannot hinge the security and well-being of our nation and nationals solely on the improvement of cross-strait ties ... If needed, the MAC should put on the brake.”

Wu also noted that while improving ties with mainland China, the government should maintain and reinforce political, diplomatic and trade ties with the U.S., Japan, European Union, and other countries that uphold freedom, democracy and lawful rule, and upgrade the nation's own defense strength.

While touching on the signing of the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement across the strait, Wu reiterated that it was impossible for lawmakers to join the negotiations over the ECFA pact, but the government will give the Legislative Yuan a briefing on issue before signing the pact, and the pact will not be enforced until after it is ratified by the legislature.

Subscribe to The China Post and save 25%. Click here

SharePrintEmail

Write a Comment

Terms

Enter your comments - 3000 characters max

Type in image code

Submit

 Receive China Post promos
 Respond to this email