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Full Text of the "Three Direct Link" Policy
( 2003-12-18 10:00) (Xinhua)
The Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council Wednesday issued a document on
China's policy on direct links in mail, transport and trade across the Taiwan
Straits. The following is the full text of the document, titled "Actively and
Realistically Promoting 'Three Direct Links' Across the Taiwan Straits by
Reliance on the People and in the Interests of the People."
Foreword
Owing to the military confrontation across the Taiwan Straits since 1949,
people-to-people contacts and direct links in mail, transport and trade between
the two sides of the Taiwan Straits were totally suspended, resulting in total
division between the compatriots across the Straits. On New Year's Day 1979, the
Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) of the People's
Republic of China (PRC) issued a message to compatriots in Taiwan. In a bid to
make it easier for family members, relatives and friends of compatriots on both
sides of the Straits to visit each other, to communicate, travel, and develop
economic, cultural and other ties, the message initiated a proposal for
"starting postal, air and shipping services across the Straits as soon as
possible," and "developing trade, supplying each other's needs and conducting
economic exchanges." The mainland has since spared no effort in forging direct
links in mail, transport and trade (hereinafter referred to as the "Three Direct
Links," or "Three Links") across the Straits.
In November 1987, the Taiwan authorities made the decision to permit Taiwan
compatriots to visit their relatives on the mainland, which was welcomed by the
mainland and ended the 38-year-long severance between the two sides of the
Straits. People-to-people contacts and economic and cultural exchanges across
the Straits have since developed, and thus accelerated the progress of the
"Three Direct Links." Such contacts and exchanges have made much headway in the
past dozen years. But, to our regret, the cross-Straits "Three Links" remains in
an indirect, one-way and partial state due to restrictions and obstructions
imposed by the Taiwan authorities. An early realization of direct, two-way and
complete "Three Links" will be in the immediate and fundamental interests of
people on both sides of the Straits. We hope that compatriots on both sides will
make concerted efforts and actively and realistically promote the "Three Direct
Links" across the Straits, so as to bring benefits to our posterity.
I. The status quo of the
"Three Direct Links" across the Straits and the problems to be
solved
1. Progress of the "Three Direct Links" Under strong demand from compatriots,
and due to negotiations and efforts by business circles, on both sides of the
Straits, the "Three Direct Links" have started from scratch and progressed to
varying degrees.
(1) Postal link mail service
The mainland formally launched ordinary and registered mail services with
Taiwan in 1979. In 1989 inter-Straits direct postal parcel delivery was
established via Hong Kong. In April 1993, the mainland-based Association for
Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS) and the Taiwan-based Straits
Exchange Foundation (SEF) signed the Agreement on Inquisition and Compensation
of Registered Letters Across the Straits. Registered letter service hence went
into formal operation across the Straits.
Telecommunication Service
In 1979, the mainland started telegraph and telephone services with Taiwan.
In 1989, Taiwan opened telegraph and telephone services with the mainland via a
third place. In 1996, China Telecom and the Taiwan-based Chunghwa Telecom set up
direct telecom business ties. And direct telecommunication channels across the
Straits were set up through Sino-American, Eurasian and Asia-Pacific seabed
optical cables constructed in 1999 and 2000. The telecommunication departments
of both sides have launched mutual telephone, data communication, mobile phone
roaming and videophone services. Cross-Straits telecom business has been
booming, accounting for the largest and second-largest shares of the overseas
telecom business of Taiwan and the mainland, respectively.
(2) Transport link
Shipping service
In August 1979, the mainland proposed negotiations on sea transportation
across the Straits with the shipping community in Taiwan, and declared that
Taiwan ships would have access to all its open ports. In order to ensure
navigation safety across the Straits, the mainland offered the services of
mainland lighthouses to ships from Taiwan, and fully opened offshore radio
service to Taiwan ships to provide them with communication and navigation
services. In addition, the two sides co-founded a search and rescue hotline.
Relevant regulations, such as Measures for Shipping Management Across the Taiwan
Straits, promulgated in August 1996, standardize essential matters concerning
direct shipping across the Straits. So far, seven business offices and 37
shipping agencies for Taiwan-based shipping companies have been given approval
to be set up at key ports on the mainland's coastal areas.
In April 1997, direct shipping between Fuzhou and Xiamen, and Kaohsiung
entered trial operation. Mainland and Taiwan-invested shipping companies can use
vessels with a flag of convenience to transport foreign trans-shipment trade
cargoes from both sides via Kaohsiung Port. In March 1998, a regular container
shipping route was inaugurated across the Straits, whereby cargo ships calling
at ports across the Straits require change of documents rather than vessels at a
third place.
In consideration of the demand of the people in Jinmen and Mazu, in early
2001 the mainland provided every possible assistance for shipping between the
two islands and the coastal areas of Fujian Province. Vessels funded by and
registered on either side of the Straits can conduct passenger and cargo
transport across the Straits by flying only company flags.
Air service
In October 1981, the mainland's civil aviation administration expressed
readiness to negotiate at any time with its Taiwan counterpart on an air link
across the Straits. In March 1990, the mainland released the Provisional
Regulations on Application and Approval Procedures for Nonscheduled Flights of
Civil Aviation Transport Between the China Mainland and Taiwan. From 1989 to
1996, the civil aviation sectors from both sides each served as sales agencies
in passenger and cargo transport for the other, and commenced one-ticket and
through baggage services between them. They signed several agreements on
co-operation in the aspects of ticket-booking, commerce, plane maintenance,
aviation and services. In December 1995 and August 1996, Air Macao and Dragonair
opened Macao-Taiwan and Hong Kong-Taiwan air routes, respectively, realizing
indirect air links between the mainland and Taiwan via Macao and Hong Kong.
Since 1997, four Taiwan airlines have been given approval to set up their
representative offices in Beijing.
In 2003, the mainland adopted flexible and practical measures aimed at
handling special cases with special methods, to facilitate Taiwan business
people's return to the island for the Spring Festival: Six Taiwan airlines were
given approval to operate charter planes 16 times to carry Taiwan business
people to commute between Taipei and Kaohsiung and Shanghai via Hong Kong and
Macao. This was the first time in 50-plus years that Taiwan-operated planes had
landed at a mainland airport by normal approach.
(3) Business link (trade, investment and finance)
Trade
Since 1979, the mainland has opened its market to Taiwan products, offering
them preferential treatment, such as tax exemption or reduction. In December
2000, the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Co-operation of the PRC
released Measures for the Administration of Trade with the Taiwan Area. The
cross-Straits trade volume was a mere US$46 million-worth in 1978, but it shot
up to US$44.66 billion-worth in 2002, approximately 971 times as much as the
1978 figure. By the end of September 2003, the accumulated volume of
cross-Straits trade had totalled US$309.18 billion, of which US$48.89 billion
came from the mainland's exports to Taiwan, and US$260.29 billion from Taiwan's
exports to the mainland, the mainland's trade deficit with Taiwan amounting to
an accumulative total of US$211.4 billion. Since 1991 the mainland has become
Taiwan's No 1 source of trade surplus. According to statistics, in 2002 the
mainland had become the largest export market for Taiwan, and the island was the
mainland's second-largest import market.
Investment
In July 1988, the State Council of the PRC issued the Regulations for
Encouraging Investment by Taiwan Compatriots. In 1992, the Taiwan authorities
permitted Taiwan compatriots to make indirect investment in, and carry out
technical co-operation with, the mainland via a third place. In March 1994, the
Standing Committee of the NPC adopted the Law on the Protection of Investment by
Taiwan Compatriots. In December 1999, the State Council formulated the Detailed
Rules for the Implementation of the Law on the Protection of Investment by
Taiwan Compatriots, and local people's congresses and governments accordingly
worked out corresponding local regulations and administrative rules in light of
local conditions. A legal system was therefore formed or improved to protect the
legal rights and interests of Taiwan compatriots in the mainland. Relevant
departments and local governments in the mainland have made continuous efforts
to improve the investment environment and provide good service for Taiwan
compatriots, thereby promoting their investments. By the end of September 2003,
a total of 59,458 Taiwan-invested projects had been approved on the mainland,
with the contractual value of Taiwan investment totalling US$67.98 billion, and
the actually utilized Taiwan investment totalling US$35.71 billion. According to
statistics from Taiwan, Taiwan business people have since 1993 taken the
mainland as their first choice for outside-the-island investment.
Financial Exchanges and Co-operation
In 2002, mainland-based commercial banks officially started remittance and
letter of credit business with the offshore bank units (OBU) of Taiwan-based
banks. In 2003, they further opened this businesses with the domestic bank units
(DBU) in Taiwan. By October 2003, the mainland had approved the establishment of
two Taiwan-invested banks, representative offices of seven Taiwan-based banks,
12 representative offices of nine Taiwan-based insurance companies and one
Taiwan-based insurance brokerage company, and 17 representative offices of 12
Taiwan-based securities companies.
In the process of promoting the "Three Direct Links," non-governmental trade
organizations across the Straits have carried out in-depth discussions time and
again on relevant technical and professional issues involved in the "Three
Direct Links," and reached consensus in many aspects. Negotiations on
inter-Straits communication have been going on successfully. Trial direct
navigation across the Straits is operating smoothly. Delicate issues concerning
two-way direct shipping between coastal areas of Fujian Province and Jinmen and
Mazu have been properly resolved. Meanwhile, Taiwan-operated charter planes for
the first time transported Taiwan business people across the Straits during the
2003 Spring Festival. All these facts show that business people on both sides
can undoubtedly find methods acceptable to both sides. As a matter of fact, both
the technical and professional issues involved in the "Three Direct Links" have
been settled.
2. The current indirect, two-way and partial state of the "Three Direct
Links" has impeded the exchanges and contacts between compatriots and the
development of economic and trade co-operation across the Straits.
Mail
Cross-Straits postal parcels have to be delivered via Hong Kong or Macao.
Postal business is of a limited scope, and parcel post, small parcel post,
remittance and express delivery services still remain unopened.
Transport
Direct shipping and flight are still unavailable. Cross-Straits travellers
therefore have to transit via a third place, such as Macao or Hong Kong.
Cross-Straits cargoes are not eligible for trial direct shipping, and have to be
trans-shipped via a third place such as Hong Kong or Japan. Here arises the
curious phenomenon of "cross-Straits cargo ships bringing in no cargoes and
arriving cargoes not being brought by cargo ships."
Trade
The mainland market has been completely opened to Taiwan enterprises and
commodities, while the mainland's exported commodities are subject to many
discriminatory restrictions in Taiwan. Many of the mainland's advantageous
commodities that are in high demand in Taiwan can find no access to the island.
Mainland enterprises are not allowed to invest in Taiwan, or to set up their
necessary business agencies there. It is difficult for mainland enterprises to
hold or attend economic and trade exhibitions and business talks in Taiwan. And
the mainland's business people face many restrictions on investigation tours of
or visits to Taiwan.
3. The failure to realize direct, two-way and complete "Three Links" is
mainly attributed to obstruction by the Taiwan authorities.
For a long time in the past, the Taiwan authorities have set up numerous
barriers to inter-Straits "Three Direct Links," in disregard of the eager desire
of compatriots across the Straits and the demands of Taiwan's economic growth.
Lee Teng-hui and the current leader of the Taiwan authorities have both tried to
stall and obstruct the "Three Direct Links" on the pretext of seeking "equality,
security and dignity." The Taiwan authorities have willfully added stringent
restrictive clauses to regulations concerning the "Three Direct Links,"
attaching to them various political prerequisites in an attempt to hamper
cross-Straits negotiation on the "Three Direct Links." On the one hand, the
current leader of the Taiwan authorities refuses to accept the one-China
principle or acknowledge the "1992 common understanding." As a result,
cross-Straits dialogue and negotiation cannot be resumed. On the other hand, he
refuses to accept the simple and facile method of having non-governmental trade
organizations negotiate "Three Direct Links" matters, causing protracted delay
in the opening of the "Three Direct Links" negotiation. Facts have spoken
volumes that, although the current leader of the Taiwan authorities has
indicated that the "Three Direct Links" should not be a problem and is "an
inevitable way to go," in essence he is unwilling at all to see the
cross-Straits exchanges and the normal development of inter-Straits relations.
He has broken his promise, gone back on his word, and done everything in his
power to postpone the opening of the "Three Direct Links." What's more, he has
tried every possible means to politicize and complicate the "Three Direct Links"
issue, even to try to incorporate it in his framework of separatist proposition
of "one country on each side." The stand and policies of the current leader of
the Taiwan authorities, aimed at disrupting the development of cross-Straits
relations and separating Taiwan from China, are the root cause of the failure so
far to realize the direct, two-way and complete "Three Links."
II. Realization of the 'Three
Direct Links' accords with the immediate interests of compatriots across the
Straits, and is the fundamental way to attaining mutual benefit and a win-win
situation
1. The direct, two-way and complete "Three Links" is an objective demand for
people-to-people contacts and economic and trade exchanges across the Straits.
Between 1988 and 2002, Taiwan people made more than 27 million passenger
trips to visit their relatives and friends, travel, conduct investment or engage
in other cross-Straits exchanges on the mainland, whereas mainlanders' trips
across the Straits reached well over 700,000. In 2002 the cross-Straits volume
of passenger transport approached 4 million, the trade volume exceeded US$40
billion-worth, and the volume of cargo transport reached anything up to tens of
millions of tons. Failure to institute the direct, two-way and complete "Three
Links" has not only increased the economic burden on compatriots across the
Straits, particularly Taiwan compatriots, but also wasted much of their time and
energy.
On a flight from Taipei to Shanghai via Hong Kong, a round-trip ticket for
the Taiwan to Hong Kong portion costs US$380. This means that for the 27 million
trips made, passengers will spend a total of well over US$10 billion more than
necessary. A direct flight from Taipei to Shanghai would take only one hour and
15 minutes, but when flying via Hong Kong as the stopover, the flight time will
be extended to about four hours, not including waiting time in Hong Kong.
Freight transport
The direct distance between Shanghai Harbour and Kaohsiung Harbour is 600
nautical miles, but sea transportation bypassing Japan's Ishigaki Island is 232
nautical miles longer, a voyage costing more money and taking more time than
necessary. The adoption of a direct air transport service will definitely save
time and reduce transport costs by wide margins, and cross-Straits trade will be
increased as a result of the improved efficiency of goods flow.
2. The direct, two-way and complete "Three Links" will help boost
inter-Straits economic development.
Currently, the two sides of the Straits are in different stages of economic
development. There are adequate conditions for mutual complementarity and also
much room for development in their economic co-operation. The history of
cross-Straits economic exchange over the past dozen years is a "win-win" history
of cross-Straits economic development. Cross-Straits economic exchange and
co-operation have obviously significantly contributed to Taiwan's economic
growth.
According to the Taiwan-based Chung Hua Institution for Economic Research,
every growth of US$1 in Taiwan's exports to the mainland will bring an increase
of US$2 of direct or indirect output value to the relevant Taiwan industries.
Taiwan's huge favorable trade balance with the mainland has contributed greatly
to the growth of its foreign exchange reserve, and continuous cross-Straits
trade development will be of vital importance to Taiwan's economic growth. The
attainment of the direct, two-way and complete "Three Links" will help ensure
Taiwan's sustained economic growth.
Since 1988, the shift of Taiwan's labour-intensive industries to the mainland
has rejuvenated these industries. The obstruction of the "Three Direct Links"
has been one of the important causes of Taiwan's economic stagnation, slowed
industrial structure upgrading, reduced investment, decreased consumption,
increased unemployment rate and soaring index of people's plight over the past
few years. Taiwan's industrial and commercial circles believe that realization
of the "Three Direct Links" will bring Taiwan's advantageous geographical
location into full play, and greatly improve its investment environment; that
Taiwan's enterprises can make full use of the mainland's resources and markets
to further develop themselves, and promote Taiwan's economic development; that,
in return, mainland enterprises can also make investments in Taiwan, which will
undoubtedly inject new vitality into Taiwan's economy and create more business
opportunities. Cross-Straits economic exchange and co-operation have contributed
significantly to the mainland's economic development as well.
Taiwan investors have brought funds, technology, enterprise management
know-how and marketing experience to the mainland, helped expand its overseas
trade and increased its tax revenue. Taiwan compatriots have more opportunities
to participate in the mainland's march toward the magnificent goal of building a
better-off society in an all-round way, and they themselves will achieve further
development while helping to boost the mainland's economic development.
3. The direct, two-way and complete "Three Links" will help compatriots on
both sides of the Straits to adapt to the trends of economic globalization and
regionalization, strengthen co-operation, seize opportunities and meet
challenges.
In the world today, science and
technology are progressing by leaps and bounds, economic globalization and
regionalization are gaining momentum, and competition in comprehensive strength
is becoming increasingly acute. People on both sides of the Straits are faced
with both opportunities and challenges. The early achievement of the direct,
two-way and complete "Three Links" will provide both sides of the Straits with
more information, more convenient transport, smoother capital circulation, and
more efficient resources allocation. In this way, each of the two sides will be
properly placed and each will bring its own potential capacity to play, to the
point of helping greatly to enhance the economic competitiveness of both sides,
accelerate mutual development and boost the overall economic rejuvenation of the
whole Chinese nation.
During the past decade or more, inter-Straits relations have
undergone twists and turns, but cross-Straits people-to-people contacts and
economic and cultural exchanges, have all along remained on the rise, opening up
new prospects for the progress of the "Three Direct Links." These fully
demonstrate the congenial connections of the people on both sides of the
Straits, their sharing the same language and national feeling and their having
increasingly deep common interests. The "Three Direct Links" will help toward
common economic prosperity and be in accordance with the fundamental and
immediate interests of people on both sides of the Straits. Cross-Straits
people-to-people contacts as well as economic and cultural exchanges have
yielded abundant returns, which serve as both a solid foundation and an inner
impetus for achieving the direct, two-way and complete "Three Links." People
from all walks of life in Taiwan are ardently calling for the early realization
of the "Three Direct Links." Compatriots on both sides of the Straits have
performed many successful deeds and gained a wealth of experience in the process
of promoting the "Three Direct Links," while, for its part, the mainland has
made full preparations in all aspects for the attainment of the "Three Direct
Links." In a word, the "Three Direct Links" is the trend of the times and the
will of the people.
III. The mainland's basic stand and policies on the
"Three Direct Links"
Both the mainland and Taiwan belong to one China. China
is the common homeland of compatriots on both sides of the Straits. Any
separatist attempt and action aimed at cooking up "Taiwan Independence," "two
Chinas," and "one China, one Taiwan" will be opposed by people on both sides of
the Straits. The "Three Direct Links" is in accordance with the common interests
of the people across the Straits. It is the inevitable requirement of constantly
expanding cross-Straits contacts and should not be hampered by any artificial or
political factors. We hope to realize the "Three Direct Links" at an early date
and across the board, so as to open up a new situation for cross-Straits
economic co-operation and benefit compatriots on both sides of the Straits.
Proceeding from this basic stand, we wish to reaffirm our policies and
propositions concerning the "Three Direct Links."
1. Relying on the people
and working for the well-being of the people is our stand and purpose in the
resolution of the "Three Direct Links" issue.
During the process of promoting
the "Three Direct Links," we will actively and pragmatically help promote the
measures that will genuinely benefit the compatriots, people-to-people contacts,
and the development of economic and trade relations between the two sides of the
Straits, and, especially, benefit the Taiwan compatriots, and industrial and
commercial circles and Taiwan's economic development as a whole.
2. The
"Three Direct Links" is a cross-Straits affair and an internal affair of Chinese
people on both sides of the Straits.
The cross-Straits "Three Direct Links"
has itself manifested the nature of the issue as an internal affair of Chinese
people. Cross-Straits direct air and shipping services are air and shipping
routes across the Straits. We resolutely oppose anyone who attempts to describe
"Three Direct Links" as links "between nations" or as "quasi-international"
links, or to "internationalize" them in disguised form.
3. Shelve political
disputes and prevent political differences from affecting and interfering with
the "Three Direct Links."
The "Three Direct Links" is purely an economic
matter. Political differences between the two sides of the Straits should not be
used as a pretext or obstacle for obstructing the "Three Direct Links."
Negotiations concerning the "Three Direct Links" are not political negotiations;
they may be carried out beyond the political implications of one China, but
should seek practical resolution of the various problems involved, so as to
accelerate the progress of the "Three Direct Links."
4. Direct and two-way
links, reciprocity and mutual benefit, and consultation on the basis of
equality
The "Three Direct Links" promoted and achieved in this spirit will
be the "Three Direct Links" in the true sense of the term, and only in this way
can cross-Straits economic exchange and co-operation be expanded and be
developed in a sustained and healthy way, so as to attain the goal of
safeguarding and improving the common interests of compatriots on both sides of
the Straits.
5. Let non-governmental trade organizations on both sides of the
Straits conduct consultations on the "Three Direct Links" issue.
To realize
the "Three Direct Links" as soon as possible, consultation may be conducted as
flexibly as possible, the measures for resolution of the problem should be
simple and feasible, technical problems should be simplified, and the methods of
resolving it easy and convenient. Given the situation caused by the Taiwan
authorities, in which dialogue and consultation between the ARATS and SEF cannot
be resumed, it may be feasible for non-governmental trade organizations on both
sides of the Straits to conduct such consultations on the "Three Direct Links"
issue.
A. Holding consultations on a non-governmental basis
Consultations
may be conducted by such organizations on the issue, in which officials from
relevant competent departments from both sides may participate in a
non-governmental capacity.
B. Reaching consensus
Over the years,
non-governmental trade organizations on both sides have gained rich experience
in how to solve technical and professional problems related to the "Three Direct
Links." Under these circumstances, formal consultation between these
organizations can lead to a consensus.
C.
Receiving confirmation
The
"consensus," "agreement," "summary of minutes," "memorandum" or "business
arrangement" attained after negotiations should be implemented upon confirmation
by each side. This method of settlement will not bring any harm to either side,
in terms of their rights.
6.The Taiwan authorities should remove
discriminatory restrictions and unreasonable obstacles directed against the
mainland as soon as possible.
The indirect, one-way and partial approach and
other restrictive policies adopted by the Taiwan authorities on the "Three
Direct Links" issue have disrupted the normal order of cross-Straits trade and
investment, damaged the market environment of fair competition, undermined the
legal rights and interests of relevant mainland and Taiwan enterprises. In
September 2003, the Taiwan authorities unilaterally declared "a simplified
programme for cross-Straits cargo air transport," in which, Hong Kong and Macao
are designated as the stopovers for cross-Straits round trips by the air
freighters of Taiwan airlines. The civil aviation administrative department on
the mainland holds that chartered air freighters from either side of the Straits
stopping over in a third place will amount to "rejecting what is near at hand
and seeking what is far away," and that cross-Straits air and shipping services
should be equally operated by airlines from both sides, so as to maintain
healthy and sustained development for such services and benefit compatriots and
industrial and commercial circles across the Straits. Taiwan's simplified
programme for cross-Straits cargo flights, in which it unilaterally declared the
time limitation of flights without consultation between non-governmental air
transport operators on both sides of the Straits, is inappropriate, and also
unacceptable to the mainland. In October, at the further request of Taiwan
compatriots and industrial and commercial circles for opening the "Three Direct
Links," the Taiwan authorities relaxed some restrictive regulations concerning
cross-Straits people-to-people contacts, trade and investment, but at the same
time set some additional conditions, in order to continue to postpone the
opening of cross-Straits direct air and shipping services. We hope that the
Taiwan authorities will, starting from the common interests of compatriots on
both sides of the Straits, take practical and effective measures for opening
cross-Straits direct, two-way air and shipping services, and abolish
discriminatory restrictions and unfair treatment against the mainland at an
early date.
IV. Explanations on some questions related to the "Three Direct
Links"
1. Consultation on the "Three Direct
Links" question between cross-Straits non-governmental trade
organizations
The "Three Direct Links"
question could have been discussed through the existing cross-Straits
consultative mechanisms, namely the ARATS and the SEF. In 1992, the two
organizations reached the common understanding that each should express verbally
that "both sides of the Taiwan Straits adhere to the one-China principle," thus
laying the political foundation for consultation between the ARATS and SEF.
However, after coming to power the present leader of the Taiwan authorities
categorically negated the "1992 common understanding," thus undermining the
foundation for consultation between the two organizations, rendering it
impossible for them to resume their dialogue and consultation. In these
circumstances and considering that non-governmental trade organizations across
the Straits have already established smooth communication channels over the
years, these organizations have conducted in-depth discussions on technical and
professional questions related to the "Three Direct Links," and have reached
consensus in many aspects. Therefore, we propose that cross-Straits
non-governmental trade organizations conduct consultation on the "Three Direct
Links" issue. This is the most practical and feasible pattern of consultation at
the present stage.
2. The flag and certificate in cross-Straits direct air
and shipping services
The air and maritime transport circles on both sides of
the Straits have reached some understanding through many years of exchange of
opinions on how to deal with aircraft and ship flag and certification paper
problems in cross-Straits direct air and shipping services. This, plus the
successful practices in cross-Straits air and maritime transport, has provided a
referential basis for the solutions of these problems.
Air
Service
According to relevant provisions in the International Convention on
Civil Aviation and its appendixes, an aircraft must have the national or
regional identity symbol and registration symbol, both of which must be selected
from among the national or regional identity codes of their temporary wireless
call signs given to the registering nation or region by the International
Telecommunications Union. The aircraft symbols of both the mainland and Taiwan
are the same English letter, B, thus the aircraft symbol question will not arise
in direct air transport across the Straits. For main-certificate check and
approval involved in direct air transport, a Taiwan-based airline company in
charge of the operation may present a qualified certification paper for the
necessary certificate to the mainland's civil aviation administrative
department, and, upon approval, it may file its application. This simple,
practical and flexible procedure was applied and verified in handling Taiwan
business people's charter plane business at the 2003 Spring Festival, providing
useful experience for resolving problems to be involved in the two-way direct
air transport across the Straits.
Shipping Service
The ships' flag and
certification problems in cross-Straits direct shipping service can be resolved
with reference to the relevant procedure adopted for the navigation lines for
shipping service between Hong Kong and Taiwan after Hong Kong's return to the
motherland in 1997, as well as for the shipping service between Fujian's coastal
areas and Jinmen and Mazu. That is to say that a ship of either side navigating
directly across the Straits will need only to fly the company's flag or a flag
with symbols agreed upon by the two sides, and, when entering a port of the
other side, it will not need to fly the flag of the other side; and that one
side should check the relevant certificates of the other side and, if necessary,
may write its comments on a separate paper.
3. Participation of foreign
companies in cross-Straits air and shipping services
The air and shipping
services across the Straits are by no means "state to state air and shipping
services," nor are cross-Straits air and shipping international lines, therefore
they should be operated by mainland and Taiwan airlines and shipping companies
or by mainland-Taiwan joint ventures. Sino-foreign joint airlines and shipping
companies registered with the authorities on either side may participate in such
business operations, but the foreign partners of such companies are not allowed
to have dominant shares. These propositions of ours are conducive not only to
safeguarding the principle of preventing China's sovereignty over aviation and
navigation from being infringed upon, but to protecting the legitimate rights
and interests of the Chinese people on both sides of the Straits.
4. The "Three Direct Links" and the so-called Taiwan
security
The Taiwan authorities
assert that the "Three Direct Links," especially the direct, two-way air and
shipping services across the Straits will seriously jeopardize the security of
Taiwan, and take this assertion as their main reason for impeding the direct,
two-way and complete "Three Links." Certain Taiwan organizations recently
classified its security issue into the four issues of military security,
political security (mainly, Taiwan's being dwarfed politically), economic
security (mainly, Taiwan's markedly increasing economic dependence on the
mainland market, its industrial "hollowing" and its growing unemployment rate),
and social security (mainly, public order, epidemic prevention, social welfare
and education burden). Apart from those possible problems relating to social
security that can be discussed and pre-arranged in the "Three Direct Links"
consultations, the other viewpoints are ungrounded in facts; rather they are
products of the Taiwan authorities' inveterate hostility towards the mainland,
their purpose being to influence Taiwan compatriots' attitudes towards the
"Three Direct Links" and continue to postpone and obstruct the "Three Direct
Links." These viewpoints need to be pointed out and corrected.
The assertion
that "direct air and shipping services will seriously jeopardize Taiwan's
military security."
First, the mainland's policy on Taiwan is based on the
fact that the people on both sides of the Straits are bound together like
brothers and sisters, and, as the saying goes, "Blood is thicker than water." We
cherish greater hope than any others for solving the Taiwan question by peaceful
means. The mainland has worked for the prospect of peaceful reunification with
the greatest sincerity and the utmost effort. When we say we will not commit
ourselves to rule out the use of force, it is directed not against the Taiwan
people, but against the attempt of foreign forces to interfere with China's
reunification and the attempt of Taiwan's separatist forces to materialize
"Taiwan independence." Second, the technical and professional problems
concerning direct air and shipping services across the Straits, consultation on
an equal footing by the two sides should be conducted and unanimity of opinions
reached, before they can be put into practice. By then, Taiwan's concern about
its security will be properly resolved. Third, in fact, direct transport service
across the Straits has been opened on a trial basis for six years, and direct
sea transport between coastal areas in Fujian and Jinmen and Mazu has been going
ahead for over two years. These have never infringed on Taiwan's "military
security," nor have they brought any "threat" to Taiwan. On the contrary, these
direct contacts have helped build up a harmonious and stable atmosphere in the
Taiwan Straits area. Fourth, the fundamental way of realizing and maintaining
peace and stability in the Taiwan Straits area is that the Taiwan authorities
must totally abandon the separatist claim to "Taiwan independence" and stop all
the splittist activities along that line; and that negotiations should be held
and an agreement reached on "an official end to the state of hostility between
the two sides under the principle of one China so as to jointly safeguard
China's sovereignty and territorial integrity and work out plans for the
development of the future inter-Straits relations. The more this state of
hostility is eased, the more peaceful the Taiwan Straits area will become. And
the more rapidly the inter-Straits relations are developed, the better the
compatriots on both sides of the Straits will be assured of their security.
The assertion that "Taiwan will be dwarfed politically" in the process of
the consultation on the "Three Direct Links."
We have always maintained that
both sides should solve their differences and problems in the spirit of mutual
respect and consultation on an equal footing and with a practical approach, and
that one side should not impose its will on the other. Previous negotiations
between the ARATS and SEF and exchanges and consultations between
non-governmental trade organizations on both sides of the Straits were all
carried out on an equal basis. The question of who would be "dwarfed" simply did
not arise. In the trial direct transport across the Straits and the direct sea
transport between coastal areas in Fujian on the one hand and Jinmen and Mazu on
the other, the two sides handled transportation facilities and technical
problems entirely on the principle of equality and reciprocity, bringing about
mutual benefits and a win-win situation. Future negotiations on the "Three
Direct Links," including market opening and relevant management, and arrangement
of operation rights and interests will also be carried out under the principle
of mutual respect, consultation on an equal footing, fairness and
justifiableness, reciprocity and mutual benefit. The question of Taiwan being
"dwarfed" in the "Three Direct Links" process will not arise at all.
The
assertion that "the 'Three Direct Links' will threaten Taiwan's economic
security."
First, about the security problem stemming from Taiwan's
increasing economic dependence on the mainland market, as a result of the "Three
Direct Links." The fact is that the mainland and Taiwan each has its economic
advantages, which may supplement each other's needs. In the process of
inter-Straits economic exchange and co-operation, the Taiwan economy has gained
impetus for growth from the rapidly economic growth of the mainland, which has
provided favourable conditions for Taiwan's industrial restructuring and given
its enterprises new room for development, thus stimulating its economic
development. This has been fully proved by the facts of the past two decades. In
the upsurge of economic globalization and regional economic co-operation, if and
when the "Three Direct Links" is realized, and each side's merits are well
developed and the two sides are linked closely together economically, this will
facilitate both sides in their efforts to prevent economic and financial risks
and achieve common prosperity. This conclusion can be readily drawn if one views
the question in the light of the interests of the Taiwan compatriots and the
needs of Taiwan's economic development.
Second, about
the "Three Direct Links" accelerating Taiwan's industrial shift to the mainland,
thereby resulting in the "hollowing out" of Taiwan's industry. Industrial
"hollowing out" generally refers to the decline of the proportion of
manufacturing industry in the total economy, as well as the decline of its
productivity and international competitiveness. The research results from
relevant departments in Taiwan show that the investment of Taiwan enterprises on
the mainland increased rapidly from 1990 to 2001. During this period, the export
share of Taiwan products in the global market did not decrease, but instead it
increased from 1.96 per cent to 2 per cent. It did not cause a drop of the total
productivity and competitiveness of Taiwan's manufacturing industry, or the
so-called "hollowing out" of Taiwan's industry. On the contrary, the "Three
Direct Links" will help Taiwan enterprises to rationally allocate and use their
essential production factors and resources. Through division of labour and
co-operation, Taiwan can bring into play its economic advantages, increase its
development potentials and competitiveness, and effectively avoid the industrial
"hollowing."
Third, about Taiwan enterprises'
investment on the mainland resulting in increased unemployment in Taiwan. The
fact that the rate of unemployment in Taiwan has increased in the past few years
has been caused mainly by a decline of the enterprises' will in investment. In
fact, one of the main reasons is that the current leader of the Taiwan
authorities sticks to the separatist stance of "Taiwan independence," undermines
the cross-Straits relations and impedes the "Three Direct Links," which have
dealt a blow to the confidence of Taiwan and overseas investors.
At
the same time, the rising unemployment rate is also due to its structural
unemployment. With the increase of investment and production costs in Taiwan,
labour-intensive industries there have further lost their competitive
advantages, and investors have had to look elsewhere for low-cost areas for
continued development. By investing on the mainland, such enterprises can regain
their competitiveness, and use the profits they make on the mainland to increase
their investment capacity in Taiwan, so as to support the sustained development
of the emergent industries in Taiwan, and greatly increase their exports to the
mainland. All these have played an important role in increasing Taiwan's
employment, upgrading its industries and stabilizing its
economy.
Conclusion
We are fully
confident that the direct, two-way and complete "Three Links" will be realized.
Co-operation will bring benefits to both sides, direct links will lead to a
win-win situation, and the earlier direct links are forged, the better. We call
on the Taiwan authorities to take practical steps as soon as possible to remove
the obstacles in the way of the direct, two-way and complete "Three Links"
between the two sides of the Taiwan Straits. We sincerely hope that the Taiwan
compatriots will make efforts together with us to realize such links at an early
date and create a new situation in the cross-Straits
relations.
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