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Updated Wednesday, March 31, 2010 9:32 am TWN, The China Post news staff



	Zhou Ning, left, chief of the Department of Law and Regulation at the Taiwan Affairs Office under China's State Council, arrives at Taoyuan International Airport. Zhou, concurrently a director of the Beijing-based semiofficial ARATS, led a second group of 21 Chinese officials to the Ta Shee Resort yesterday to help prepare for the new round of two-day trade talks. (CNA) Enlarge Photo

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ECFA by June: Shih

Meanwhile, Financial Supervisory Commission (FSC) Vice Chairwoman Lee Jih-chu clarified that banking and other financial services will not be on the agenda of the current round talks due to the tight agenda.

The MAC and the MOEA have decided to exclude the sector from the upcoming talks, which they think should focus on issues that local people care about the most, such as farmers' rights, Lee said.

Nevertheless, the financial service sector will still be on the early harvest list, she added.

The first round of ECFA talks took place in Beijing Jan. 26.

A second group of 21 Chinese officials arrived in Taoyuan around noon yesterday in preparation for the new round of trade talks.

The group was led by Zhou Ning, chief of the Department of Law and Regulation at the Taiwan Affairs Office under China's State Council.

They joined Tang Wei, head of the Department of Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau Affairs under China's Ministry of Commerce, and Wang Zheng, deputy chief of the Department of Economy under the Taiwan Affairs Office, who have been here since last week.

The visitors from Beijing headed by Tang will face a Taiwan delegation led by Huang Chih-peng, director-general of the MOEA's BOFT, marking the first time for government officials to be placed at the head of cross-strait negotiations.

In the past, such negotiations were led by officials of the SEF and its Chinese counterpart ARATS.

MOEA officials will hold a press conference to announce any progress in the closed-door talks at the conclusion of discussions each day.

As expected, lawmakers and supporters of the opposition Democratic Progressive Party said they have organized protest in front of the Ta Shee Resort beginning this morning.

They described the cross-strait talks as “black box” operations as the ruling Kuomintang is unable to fully explain the details of the trade pact to dispel the people's worries and concerns.

Supporters will be mobilized for demonstrations and protests against the Chinese delegates even if the meetings are held up on Alishan (Mt. Ali) or on the Green Island off southeastern Taiwan, they said.

Police in Taoyuan County have beefed up security measures to prevent possible disorderly activities and fierce confrontations.

Reinforcements will be arranged in case the protests turn violent, according to senior police officers.

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