SCIO briefing on China's commerce development in 2015

China Review News Agency (CRNA):

Hello Mr. Gao. At a news briefing during last year's "two sessions," you mentioned the Cross-Strait Service Trade Agreement between Mainland and Taiwan. After one year, the China–South Korea Free Trade Agreement (FTA) has already been implemented, but the service trade agreement is still under preparation. What will be its impact on Taiwan's economy? What's your comment on Taiwan's supervisory regulations on cross-Strait agreements? Could you give us some information about the goods trade agreement negotiation between Mainland and Taiwan? Thank you.

Gao Hucheng:

Thanks for your question. Last year, I talked about the cross-Strait services and goods trade agreement. My opinion actually reflects the hopes and thinking of entrepreneurs of both sides. Frankly speaking, the service trade agreement between Mainland and Taiwan, featuring a high level of openness and a wide range, is rarely seen in such agreements and embodies the sincerity and friendship from the Mainland to Taiwan compatriots. However, due to certain human factors and obstacles, it has not been possible to carry out the agreement yet, and bring benefits to the people across the Strait as expected. We hope the Taiwan authority could maintain the proper political foundation and the right direction for peaceful development across the Strait, and speed up the implementation of the Cross-Strait Service Trade Agreement.

The Cross-Strait Goods Trade Agreement is an important follow-up single consultative agreement of the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA) across the Strait. Since March 2011, delegations of the two sides have already exchanged views 12 times, and fully discussed contents of the text and market opening. During the process, in line with the concepts of mutual benefit and win-win, the Mainland has made great efforts to benefit people across the Strait.

In future, the two sides will communicate further and make proper arrangements for the following negotiations. We will also inform the media at that time. Thank you.