The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) says joint discussions with China will help Taiwan participate in regional economic integration.
The MAC is Taiwan’s top China-policy maker. It made the comments at a cross-strait economic forum in Taipei on Thursday. But deputy minister of the MAC, Lin Chu-chia, clarified that this does not mean Taiwan needs China’s approval.
"We’re talking about how the two sides can cooperate economically and then join in [regional economic integration]. We’re not saying that if Taiwan wants to join, we have to talk to the Mainland first," said Lin. "If the Mainland is in certain multilateral economic organizations, of course we should go talk with them. If we start the talks early, this will help us join the RCEP," he said.
The RCEP is the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership. It is a proposed free trade agreement among 16 countries in Asia, including China.
Lin said it is very important for Taiwan to join the RCEP in order to avoid being marginalized.