Taiwan Today

Opposition Democratic Progressive Party Chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen has agreed in principle to accept President Ma Ying-jeou’s offer to have a debate over the economic cooperation framework agreement currently being negotiated with mainland China. Tsai held a press conference March 24 to make her views known, one day after Ma indicated through a party spokesman that he was open to the possibility of an ECFA debate with Tsai. “ECFA is an important topic that has to do with the long-term development of Taiwan,” Tsai said. “It is only right that the leaders of the two main political parties have a serious debate over this issue.” President Ma Ying-jeou is also chairman of the ruling Kuomintang. The DPP chairwoman cautioned that a debate alone could not resolve all the issues surrounding ECFA. She called for the Legislative Yuan to prepare its own assessment report on ECFA, adding that members of both parties should participate in the process. “Before the U.S. enters into any major trade discussions, it always requests independent organizations to conduct research on possible ramifications, rather than relying on findings presented by the administration,” she said. However, while the public is filled with anxiety over ECFA, Tsai said, the present administration has yet to produce a comprehensive report on the subject. An independent report prepared by the Legislature could also allow it to adequately carry out its duties and responsibilities for legislative oversight, Tsai added. Presidential spokesman Lo Chih-chiang said in response to Tsai’s acceptance of Ma’s challenge to a debate that the president welcomes all forms of rational discussion with the opposition party. If the DPP is willing, the two sides can sit down together to work out the format and details of the debate, he added. KMT Secretary-General King Pu-tsung said Ma indicated long ago that he would be willing to have a public debate over ECFA with the opposition. “If Chairwoman Tsai agrees to sit down with us to talk over the issues, we hope she won’t set too many preconditions, which might be used as an excuse for not to holding a debate at all,” he said. Tsai noted that the DPP proposed last May that an ECFA referendum be held, but was disappointed to learn that the Central Election Commission vetoed its request. The DPP will join hands with Taiwan Solidarity Union to initiate a second referendum drive and ask the people if they support the idea of the government signing an ECFA with the mainland, she said. (HZW)