EDITORIAL
Beijing showed much goodwill creating ECFA, but it had good reason to do so
By The Nation
Published on July 5, 2010
Much hullabaloo was created regarding the historic Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA) between China and Taiwan concluded last week. The ECFA is not an agreement between governments, which obviously China would not allow to happen. It was signed by two quasi-official bodies, the Straits Exchange Foundation and the Association of Relations Across the Taiwan Straits. It is an agreement, not a treaty. This time China has shown extraordinary goodwill towards Taiwan in concluding this agreement within a short period of six months. Deep down, there are good reasons for Beijing to do so.
Bilateral trade between the two countries has increased meteorically and so has Taiwanese investment in the mainland. Further development in these areas would help promote economic ties even more. Taiwan, under the presidency of Ma Yingjeou, has been able to sustain good relations with China, despite the recent US arms sales, strongly condemned by China. But the Ma administration is still considered friendly to China compared to the previous government of Chen Suibien. To see the current administration winning a second term would sustain whatever progress has been accomplished. China does not want unexpected development across the Taiwan Straits that would jeopardise its economic growth and development. more …
