Taiwan Premier Jiang Yi-huah open to formal review of future trade pacts with Beijing
Jiang Yi-huah says the government will consider passing law to increase oversight of controversial trade agreements made with the mainland
Taiwan's government said yesterday it was open to a demand made by students occupying the legislature for a law increasing scrutiny of future pacts signed with the mainland.
Demonstrators seized control of the parliament building on March 18 because they fear a trade agreement with Beijing will lead to job losses on the island. They also argue closer ties with the mainland pose a threat to Taiwan's democracy.
"As long as there is a consensus, the cabinet will ask the Mainland Affairs Council and relevant institutions to draft the bill for legislation so that it can be used to scrutinise all future cross-strait pacts," Premier Jiang Yi-huah said at a news conference in Taipei yesterday.
President Ma Ying-jeou is scheduled to hold his own news conference today to discuss concerns about the services trade pact, which would give the mainland and Taiwan greater access to each other's service sectors.
The cabinet will ask the relevant institutions to draft the bill for legislation
In a meeting last night with heads of 11 universities, including the National Taiwan University, Ma reiterated his willingness to talk to student protesters. Ma spokeswoman Garfie Li said university leaders suggested setting up a communications channel between students and presidential representatives, the Central News Agency reported.
Student leaders are planning a rally outside the Presidential Office in the centre of Taipei tomorrow. They want the trade pact to be reviewed under the new legislation.