Zhuo Rongtai: Cross-Strait Measures Should Be Based on Public Authority, Can Proactively Invite Negotiations When Time is Ripe

Central News Agency

(Taipei, April 21, Central News Agency reporter Wang Yang-yu) The Taiwan Affairs Office of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China announced 10 cross-strait measures, sparking discussion. Premier Zhuo Rongtai said today that all so-called cross-strait negotiation measures should be based on public authority for negotiation. Taiwan welcomes healthy and orderly exchanges, and also welcomes equal and dignified negotiations. The door to negotiation is always open, and even when the time is ripe, "we can proactively invite negotiations."

Today, the Legislative Yuan invited Zhuo Rongtai and others to attend and report on the preparation of the "115th Central Government General Budget Bill" and answer interpellations.

Before the meeting, Zhuo Rongtai was interviewed by the media regarding the 10 cross-strait measures announced by the CCP after Kuomintang Chairman Cheng Li-wen's visit to mainland China on April 12, and the National Federation of Industries and Commerce, which led seven major associations, held a press conference yesterday to express their stance on related issues.

Zhuo Rongtai said that the government has always maintained very good interactions with major industrial and commercial groups across the country, and has received much support from them when launching various government policies. Therefore, he believes that in the future, everyone will continue to cooperate in directions most beneficial to the country, industry, and people.

However, Zhuo Rongtai stated that many of the 10 cross-strait measures discussed by the Kuomintang and the Communist Party this time have been discussed in the past, sometimes implemented, sometimes interrupted, leaving industries and people in an unstable and uncertain state.

Zhuo Rongtai said he hopes both sides can uphold a correct attitude. Taiwan welcomes all kinds of healthy and orderly exchanges, and also welcomes equal and dignified negotiations, and the door to exchange and negotiation will always be open and will not be interrupted.

Zhuo Rongtai cited an example: in February last year, the Taiwan Strait Tourism Association proactively contacted the Cross-Strait Tourism Exchange Association, hoping to negotiate on various aspects of tourism quality, safety, stability, and fairness for cross-strait tourism. However, the Cross-Strait Tourism Exchange Association has not yet responded.

Zhuo Rongtai said that in the past two years, 13,400 Taiwanese groups, totaling 317,000 people, have freely and independently organized trips to mainland China, but the number of visitors from the other side has been negligible, showing an unequal and unfair situation.

Zhuo Rongtai stated that all so-called cross-strait negotiation measures should be based on public authority for negotiation. Therefore, the government will make all necessary preparations, and even when the time is ripe, it can proactively invite the other side for negotiations.

Regarding what "when the time is ripe" means, Zhuo Rongtai pointed out that it means both sides should have an equal and friendly attitude towards exchange, the content to be discussed should be public and clear, and both sides should also have the sincerity and willingness for long-term stable cooperation.

Zhuo Rongtai pointed out that as long as such a time comes, Taiwan is willing to proactively propose various matters that both sides should discuss, whether it is business travel, cooperation for farmers and fishermen, etc. These are all things Taiwan can proactively do, but it must wait until both sides have such sincerity in exchange and willingness to cooperate. (Edited by: Hsieh Chia-chen) 1150421

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