The second of four public forums concluded this weekend in the southern city of Kaohsiung, ahead of a national conference on economic affairs. Two more meetings are scheduled for central and eastern Taiwan.
The purpose of the meetings is to allow the public to voice opinions ahead of the National Conference on Trade and Economics, which will take place in Taipei on July 26-28.
The government proposed the three-day conference in response to student-led protests which occupied the legislature for three weeks earlier this year. Those protests focused on a trade agreement with China.
About 140 representatives gathered for a day and a half of talks at the regional forum this weekend in Kaohsiung. The participants forged eight consensuses and broached another 11 issues that had widespread support.
Some of the consensuses were that the government should further liberalize Taiwan’s economy, create a more international environment, set up free trade demonstration zones, proactively sign free trade agreements and reduce tariff and non-tariff barriers, to help local industries become more competitive. Other consensuses were that the government should help create job opportunities for young people, and increase transparency in free trade negotiations.