Economics Minister Woody Duh is renewing the government’s call for public support for trade agreements with China.
In an interview with Taiwan’s GTV on Saturday, Duh said that “more than one country” had planned to negotiate economic pacts with Taiwan early this year. But he said the plans did not move forward after China stepped in and told them “the timing is not right”.
China sees Taiwan as part of its territory, even though the two sides have been ruled separately for more than 60 years. Beijing also forbids other countries to form official relations with Taiwan.
Duh stressed that the main purpose of trade negotiations with China is to open a path to the rest of the world, instead of becoming more dependent on the Chinese market. He also said since Taiwan and China signed the landmark Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA) in 2010, Taiwan’s economic dependence on its giant neighbor has actually decreased.
Taiwan has hoped for China’s support in its efforts to participate in regional economic integration, but Beijing has chosen to defer the issue until after follow-up agreements under the ECFA are completed.