President Chen Shui-bian has recently urged Beijing to resume bilateral negotiations as soon as possible especially regarding the normalisation of trade relations.

“I would like to take this opportunity to urge the Chinese government to make efforts to advance the normalization of bilateral ties with sincerity and wisdom,” Chen said.

Taiwan’s government will continue to adhere to the principle of “standing firm on its position and march forward with practicality, active management and effective opening,” he said.

Chen made the remarks at a Lunar New Year get-together for Taiwanese business people based in China that was organized by the Straits Exchange Foundation.

Chen said the government would push bilateral trade exchanges step by step - as long as national security and national interest were upheld - and continue to commit itself to security, stability and prosperity in the Taiwan Strait and the Asia-Pacific region.
 
Taipei and Beijing first agreed on a charter flight service for the Lunar New Year in January 2005, and flights have been offered for subsequent holidays.

However since January last year Beijing has delayed the negotiations for Chinese tourists visiting Taiwan on passenger charter flights and cargo charter flight services, Chen said.

“Given the sharply rising costs of labor, land and energy in China, Taiwanese businesspeople in China should diversify their investments”, he said, adding that now was a good time for them to think about returning home to invest.

Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) Chairman Chen Ming-tong urged Beijing to set aside political considerations and return to the negotiation table. He said the government is studying the possibility of easing the 40% ceiling of China-bound investment.
 
In a bid to encourage domestic businesses to lease land in local industrial parks, Premier Chang Chun-hsiung told the audience that the Cabinet has agreed to inject an additional NT$20 billion (US$627.8 million) into a preferential land rental package.