DPP scholars, officials clash on ECFA plan

At the conference, Chen asked Yiin whether Taiwan's per capita national income can post an increase of one-plus percentage points after both sides of the Taiwan Strait sign the ECFA, as forecast by the Chung-Hua Institution for Economic Research (CIER) in its study report.

Yiin replied by saying that different conditions will result in different results. “The CIER made its estimation based on outdated data, and the government has consigned the institution to study the CEFA plan in accordance with the updated data,” Yiin said.

Chen continued to ask Yiin whether the government will allow tax rebates on exports of raw materials to mainland China if such materials are processed in China for re-shipment to other countries, should Taiwan fail to sign the ECFA. The minister answered that as long as the exports are among the items eligible for tax rebates, they will enjoy such rebates, adding that government-commissioned studies on the ECFA plan will take into consideration relevant variables.

Chen and Yiin engaged in more debates on many other ECFA-related issues during the conference, and Yiin said the government will come up with an official study report within three months on the signing of ECFA with China.

After the conference, Yiin told reporters that quite a few participants in the meeting ideologically claimed that the ECFA is virtually the same as the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA) between Hong Kong and China.

He stressed that the government will continue to negotiate with those who hold different opinions on the ECFA plan, so as to achieve a consensus on the plan.

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