ECFA would be scrapped if vetoed in referendum: minister

According to Shih, if the ECFA were rejected in a referendum, it would mean that the agreement is invalid in Taiwan.

“We would then notify the mainland, in accordance with a 'termination clause, ' to have the agreement terminated within a certain period of time, “ the minister told legislators during a meeting of the Legislative Yuan's Economics Committee.

The administration of President Ma Ying-jeou has set a goal of signing the trade pact with China in June.

Concerned that the ECFA would undermine Taiwan's sovereignty, the pro-independence camp led by the opposition Democratic Progressive Party and the Taiwan Solidarity Union is strongly against the plan and is currently pushing for a referendum on the trade pact.

Shih said if the ECFA is signed in June as planned, the Cabinet will submit the agreement to the legislature for review in June or July.

Even after the agreement has obtained the legislature's endorsement, the people can still express their objections to it through a referendum, Shih said.

“We must respect public opinion. Referendums are one of the options available to the people,” he said.

The minister stressed that the government would not agree to measures that harm Taiwan's interests, citing a recent statement by Ma that he would give up the ECFA if Taiwan's interests cannot be secured in the deal.

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