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Jul 30, 2009
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Taiwan leader calls for China trade pact but no rush to meet Hu

By
AFP
Published
Jul 30, 2009

TAIPEI (AFP) — Taiwan's President Ma Ying-jeou on Wednesday 29 July called for a trade pact with China but said he was not likely to meet his Chinese counterpart soon despite warming ties between the former bitter rivals.


Taiwan's President Ma Ying-jeou - Photo: AFP

In an interview with the Taipei-based United Evening News, Ma said the two sides had been building mutual trust since he came to power last year.

"However, the icy ties are just beginning to thaw and the construction of a bridge (for dialogue) just starting," Ma said.

"So it's better to wait until the ice has completely thawed and the remaining barriers entirely removed," he replied when asked about the possibility of a summit meeting with President Hu Jintao in the near future.

"This matter deserves no priority at the moment, it should be placed on the agenda at a later stage."

Ma also called for the signing of a comprehensive trade pact with Beijing and rejected fears that it would be a step towards reunification with China, which still regards the island as part of its territory.

"Once the pact is signed, it will not contain such words as 'one China' and 'peaceful unification'..., Ma said.

He said negotiations would begin before the free trade agreement between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations takes effect next year.

Ma has has previously said economy-related matters should be solved before tackling thorny political issues such as sovereignty.

The petrochemical, machinery, auto parts and textile industries would be the first beneficiaries of the trade agreement, Ma said.

A report by the Chung-Hua Institution for Economic Research said the pact would boost Taiwan's gross domestic product growth by 1.65-1.72 percentage points.

Taiwan suffered a record 10.24 percent economic contraction in the first quarter as exports were hit hard.

Taiwanese authorities say the island could be marginalised without the trade pact while critics warn against the island becoming overly dependent on its giant neighbour.

Ties have improved since the China-friendly Ma came to power in May last year. In recent months both sides have signed a raft of agreements that have led to regular direct flights and greater cooperation across the Taiwan Strait.

The leaders of China and Taiwan on Monday 27 July exchanged the first public messages in 60 years after Ma was elected to the chairmanship of the island's ruling Kuomintang party, sparking speculation that it could pave the way for a summit.

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