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Updated Tuesday, March 1, 2011 11:36 pm TWN, Analysis, CNA

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China takes serious steps toward investing in Taiwan: scholars

TAIPEI -- The fourth visit of China's chief negotiator on Taiwan affairs shows that China is making a “critical move” to step up economic cooperation with and increase investments in Taiwan, said Taiwanese scholars Monday.

Chang Wu-ueh, director of the Taipei-based Tamkang University's Graduate Institute of China studies, made the remarks after the delegation led by Chen Yunlin, president of the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS), departed Taiwan Monday morning, wrapping up its six-day visit.

Chen led an entourage of more than 50 businessmen and government officials on the trade mission, meeting counterparts in Taipei city, as well as in the southern areas of Kaohsiung city, Chiayi and Yunlin counties from Feb. 23 to 28.

“There may not be instant good results, but China has already taken a critical move” to further economic cooperation between the two sides, said Chang.

“They didn't make ostentatious purchase this time, but they sat down and talked with local entrepreneurs and industry representatives face to face, instead.”

If the dialogue continues and further cooperation is effectively carried out, the academic added, people in Taiwan — not just in northern but also southern regions — will be able to sense an economic resurgence.

Since 2008, Chen has visited Taiwan four times, but this visit was his first to southern Taiwan, where the politics tend to lean more towards Taiwanese independence compared with the central and northern parts of the island.

The Chinese contingent wanted to take the opportunity to hear different opinions, especially from the agriculture and fishery sectors as well as from emerging industries.

All entrepreneurs he met with in southern Taiwan want to develop the economy in the area and further cooperation with China, the ARATS president said of his impressions from this trip.

“I would say this trip to southern Taiwan is like the weather here. I'm in a very good mood. The people here are good-natured, simple and honest,” said Chen in Yunlin county on Feb. 26. “Moreover, it's beautiful down here, so I'm deeply impressed.”

Taiwan and mainland China signed a landmark trade agreement in June last year that cuts tariffs and will boost trade. But most of the products to enjoy tariff cuts are Taiwanese exports to mainland China. Beijing is eager to establish a stronger presence in the Taiwanese market.

During his visit, Chen lamented the fact that Chinese investments to Taiwan totaled only about US$130 million during the first 11 months in 2010, while Taiwanese investments to mainland China were much higher — at about US$10.1 billion.

Beijing is especially aware of the fact that people in southern Taiwan — a traditional stronghold of pro-Taiwan independence views — remain wary of mainland China.

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