“The landmark pact has not compromised Taiwan’s sovereignty in any way, nor has it permitted mainland Chinese workers or increased numbers of agricultural products to enter Taiwan,” Lai said.
“Trade statistics from last year show that the agreement has greatly benefited Taiwan’s agricultural sector, small and medium enterprises and the working class,” she added.
The minister made the remarks during a news conference on the eve of the first anniversary of signing the agreement, during which Lai outlined the results of the ECFA in terms of Taiwan’s improved economy and expanded international presence.
Lai said for the first five months of this year, Taiwan’s cross-strait exports under the early harvest list were NT$34.8 billion (US$1.2 billion), with tax savings of NT$943 million. Exports from the other side and tariff savings were NT$11.08 billion and NT$205 million, respectively.
“Taiwan is clearly the bigger winner here,” she said, adding that the island’s exports of agricultural products to mainland China soared 525.57 percent to US$49.42 million over the same period.
The ECFA has not made Taiwan economically dependent on mainland China, Lai said. “This is evidenced by mainland China’s decreased weighting in Taiwan’s export mix from 43.3 percent a year earlier to 40.7 percent.”
The ECFA is also well received by the global community, and is encouraging other countries and regions to ink similar deals or step up economic cooperation with Taiwan. These include the EU, India, Indonesia, the Philippines and Singapore, according to Lai.
The people of Taiwan have responded positively to the results of the ECFA, Lai said. “Two MAC-commissioned surveys show that over 60 percent of the respondents are satisfied with ECFA negotiations, while over 59 percent believe the current pace of cross-strait development is either adequate or too slow.”
The ECFA is a roadmap to normalized cross-strait trade and a steppingstone for Taiwan’s return to the global economic community, Lai said. “The government will continue engaging in follow-up negotiations with Beijing to expand these benefits.”
Write to Meg Chang at meg.chang@mail.gio.gov.tw