Taipei and Beijing will create a committee for coordinating negotiations on the cross-strait economic cooperation framework agreement, according to Mainland Affairs Council Minister Lai Shin-yuan June 13.
Based on the model used for ROC-U.S. Trade and Investment Framework Agreement talks, the committee will take a “building block” approach to dialogue between the two sides.
“ECFA negotiations must proceed step by step,” Lai said. “First comes the framework and then content follows alongside.”
Lai said the ruling Kuomintang and opposition Democratic Progressive Party support her Cabinet-level agency’s position on this issue. “The needs of Taiwan’s agriculture sector and small and medium enterprises will be met under this model.”
Made up of representatives appointed by Taipei and Beijing, the group will coordinate, monitor and review negotiations and implementation of the ECFA, as well as resolving any disputes.
“The committee will meet every six months, with provisional sessions scheduled should both sides deem this necessary,” Lai said. “Additional taskforces will also be set up to manage specific issues as the need arises.”
According to the MAC, both sides have agreed that after the ECFA is signed, regulatory proceedings should be completed as agreed with notification of completion given in writing. The pact will take effect the day after this is received.
The minister stressed that all cross-strait agreements, including the 12 pacts signed between Taiwan’s Straits Exchange Foundation and mainland China’s Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait, are subject to review and approval by the Legislature.
“This is a normal part of the process,” she said. “No cross-strait agreement can take effect automatically.”
Lai said Taipei and Beijing have also reached consensus on DPP calls for inclusion of a termination clause in the ECFA.
“If a party wishes to terminate the agreement, they can do so by sending written notice to the other side requesting negotiations within a specific time period.” (SFC-JSM)