Premier Chang San-cheng says that there have been no official talks with China on a cross-strait rail link unilaterally proposed by Beijing. Chang was speaking Friday at the Legislature.
The proposed high speed rail link is included in Beijing’s most recent five-year plan. Engineers from Taiwan and the Mainland have met to discuss the feasibility of a cross-strait tunnel, allowing for trains to run from Beijing to Taipei.
During Friday’s legislative session, DPP lawmaker Chiu Yi-ying said that the participation of one Ma Ying-jeou confidante in this discussion process may indicate Ma’s silent approval of the plan.
Chang responded that the government did not participate in these discussions. He also said that the discussions were technical in nature, and did not have any political element to them.
Chang said that there will not be any cross-strait rail line until the public is no longer anxious about the state of cross-strait relations. He also said that the transport ministry has never spoken with Chinese authorities about the proposed cross-strait rail project.