ECFA likely to be signed in May or June: ARATS

Chen said that Beijing sees the signing of such an agreement in a very positive light and that both sides of the Taiwan Strait are enthusiastically promoting its implementation.

Replying to questions from Taiwanese reporters covering the 11th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) in Beijing, Chen said cross-strait economic cooperation will benefit both sides of the strait, especially in today's economically challenging times.

Suggesting that the ECFA negotiations will make good progress with support from Beijing's leaders, Chen said that although China and Taiwan have their respective concerns regarding concessions that will have to be made, both Chinese President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao have said Beijing will give serious consideration to the concerns of the Taiwanese.

He quoted a recent promise that “our words count” made by Hu to Taiwanese farmers in an effort to assure them that their interests will be taken into account during the ECFA negotiations.

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