Bejing is unlikely to end the cross-strait trade agreement unilaterally. That was the word from Economics Minister Shen Jong-chin on Tuesday.
Shen was referring to ECFA, or Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement. The trade agreement between Beijing and Taipei took effect in 2010. It aims to promote cross-strait trade by reducing tariffs and commercial barriers.
A lawmaker recently quoted from an alleged evaluation report from the National Security Bureau, saying Beijing could end the ECFA as a way to put pressure on Taiwan.
On Tuesday, however, Shen said that if one side wants to make changes to the agreement, it must make an official proposal half a year before changes kick in. Shen said that Taipei has not received any notice on possible changes. He said Beijing is unlikely to end the ECFA unilaterally, since this might harm the interests of its own industries.