[ Home | Taiwan | PRC | Cross-Strait | U.S. | Japan | Asia-Pacific | Papers | Comments | Media | Archives ]

 

 

 Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement

[Polls] [ News ] [ Papers ] 

Polls

Survey on Signed Cross-Strait Economic Cooperation Agreement, People’s Views on Unification-Independence Issue and President Ma Ying-jeou’s Approval Rating (GVSRC, Jul. 28, 2010) 47.1% of people were supportive of ECFA;  51.2% preferred to maintain status quo on the unification-independence issue; and 32.3% were content with President Ma’s performance.

Survey: ECFA Televised Debate between President Ma Ying-jeou and DPP Chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen (China Times, Apr. 26, 2010) 47.5% of respondents supported signing a cross-Strait ECFA while 30.4% not.

Survey: ECFA Televised Debate between President Ma Ying-jeou and DPP Chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen (TVBS, Apr. 26, 2010) After the debate, 41% of respondents supported concluding an ECFA with China, rising from 38% before the debate.

Survey: Televised ECFA Debate between President Ma Ying-jeou and DPP Chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen (United Daily, Apr. 26, 2010) 42% of respondents thought President Ma performed better while 30% Chairwoman Tsai.

Survey: Possible Debate on Concluding a Cross-Strait ECFA
(China Times, Mar. 23, 2010) 42.6% of people support the signing of ECFA, while 67.1% agree that the government and the DPP should hold public debates on ECFA.

Survey on Signing of Economic Cooperation Agreement with Other Countries, People’s Views on Unification with China and Independence and President Ma Ying-jeou’s Approval Rating (GVSRC, Mar. 23, 2010) 46.2 percent of people supported the authorities to sign ECFA with mainland China; meanwhile, President Ma’s approval rating is 23.8% this month.

Survey on Cross-strait ECFA and Exchanges, Taiwanese’s View on Ultimate Unification with China and Independence and President Ma Ying-jeou’s Approval Rating (GVSRC, Dec. 22, 2009) 54.4 percent said signing ECFA is very important to Taiwan’s economy; meanwhile, 23.5 percent were content with President Ma’s performance.

60 Percent Support Systematic Cross-Strait Consultation: MAC
(CNA, Dec. 18, 2009) The Mainland Affairs Counci unveiled the results of a public opinion survey showing that nearly 60 percent of the respondents support systematic consultations between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait.

Most People Clueless about ECFA: Poll
(Taipei Times, Dec. 18, 2009) Most people have no idea what issues will be covered in cross-strait talks scheduled to take place in Taichung next week, the Democratic Progressive Party said.

China Times Public Opinion Poll on ECFA
(China Times, Dec. 11, 2009) A poll conducted by China Times on people’s opinions on the cross-strait ECFA, translated by the KMT news network.

Views on Current Cross-Strait Relations
(MAC, Oct. 2, 2009) A survey on people’s opinions on the cross-strait relations, conducted by the Mainland Affairs Council.

60% of People Support ECFA
(China Post, Jun. 2, 2009) Six out of every ten people in Taiwan support an economic cooperation framework agreement with China, according to a Credit Lyonnais Securities poll.

Survey on ECFA and Issues Associated with Mainland Capital Investments in Taiwan (MAC, Apr. 20, 2009) A survey conducted by the Mainland Affairs Council on ECFA and other issues.

Survey on Cross-Strait Economic Cooperation Agreement and President Ma Ying-jeou’s Approval Rating (GVSRC, Mar. 23, 2009) 68.2% of Taiwanese say they are concerned with signing an economic cooperation agreement with China. Meanwhile, President Ma’s approval rating ten months after his inauguration is 28.6%.

TVBS Poll on ECFA and National Identity
(TVBS Public Opinion Pall Center, Mar. 13, 2009) A poll conducted by TVBS on Taiwanese people’s opinion on ECFA with China and national identity.

Survey on Taiwanese People’s Attitude toward Economic Agreements with China and Cross-strait Exchanges (GVSRC, Nov. 10, 2008) 47.4% think the four agreements signed by SEF and ARATS in early November are beneficial to Taiwan.

 

Gov’t to Counter Trade Agreement among China, Japan, S. Korea
(CNA, Aug. 28, 2010) Taiwan should prioritize several industries in follow-up talks with China under the framework trade pact the two signed in late June to counter a possible East Asian free trade zone, the Bureau of Foreign Trade said.

China May Notify WTO of Taiwan Trade Agreement: Official
(CNA, Aug. 27, 2010) During recent talks with Taiwan, China did not rule out the possibility of notifying the World Trade Organization of a recent trade pact with Taiwan, an official familiar with the matter said.

ARATS Deputy Head Makes 1st Taiwan Visit Since Signing of ECFA
(CNA, Aug. 24, 2010) The deputy chief of China's quasi-official Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait is currently on a visit in Taiwan to assess the response on the ground to a recently signed cross-strait pact, sources said.

Taiwan-China Trade Deal Passed by Taipei Legislators
(BBC, Aug. 18, 2010) Taiwan's parliament has approved a wide-ranging trade pact with China, despite a boycott by the pro-independence opposition.

ECFA Review Consensus Reached
(Taipei Times, Aug. 17, 2010) The DPP says the consensus, which has been put in writing, means lawmakers will take an ‘individual review, individual vote and package vote approach.’

Taiwan Government Faces Challenges after ECFA: Scholars
(CNA, Aug. 14, 2010) The signing of a historic trade pact between Taiwan and China was just the start of a wide range of economic and political tasks for the Taiwanese government to overcome and cautiously review, scholars said.

Taiwan, China Agrees on Economic Commission
(CNA, Aug. 14, 2010) Taiwan and China have agreed that an economic cooperation commission to be established under a recently signed trade pact will be headed by vice ministerial-level officials from each side, government sources said.

Taiwan Considers Trade Deals with Vietnam, Indonesia
(Taipei Times, Aug. 8, 2010) Taiwan is eyeing Vietnam and Indonesia as potential free-trade agreement partners after announcing last week that it had agreed with Singapore to explore the feasibility of such a deal.

Presidential Office Happy with China’s response to Proposed Singapore Pact (Taipei Times, Aug. 7, 2010) The Presidential Office on Thursday night issued a statement lauding China for not attempting to stop the country’s bid to pursue an economic agreement with Singapore.

Taiwan, Singapore to Pursue Trade Pact
(Reuters, Aug. 5, 2010) Taiwan and Singapore will pursue a free trade-style deal, the two sides said, a key to Taipei's long-term growth strategy and following a trade pact with political foe China.

Taiwan Diplomat Calls for FTAs with Europe
(CNA, Aug. 4, 2010) Taiwan's top envoy to the European Union and Belgium called for a free trade agreement between Taiwan and the EU, saying that the ground has already been laid with the recent signing of a trade pact with China.

FTA with Taiwan Unnecessary: Thai Rep Office
(CNA, Aug. 1, 2010) Goods imported from Thailand to Taiwan already enjoy a favorable tariff treatment, hence a free trade agreement or a similar mechanism is not necessary to stimulate bilateral trade, the Thai representative office said recently.

China Wouldn’t Scuttle Trade Pacts: Academic
(Taipei Times, Jul. 29, 2010) Charles Freeman, an academic at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, said that authorities at “the highest levels within China” had assured him that Taiwan would be free to enter into whatever free-trade agreements it wanted.

DPP to Look at ECFA from New Angle, but Keep Fighting
(China Post, Jul. 28, 2010) Chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen of DPP said she is now looking at the trade pact reached between Taiwan and China from a different perspective. But she denied that she has given up a fight against the agreement.

Taiwan May Try to Reach Free Trade Accord with Singapore, Negotiator Says (Bloomberg, Jul. 22, 2010) Taiwan may seek a free-trade accord with Singapore following its first such deal with China, the island’s top negotiator with China Chiang Pin-kung said.

DPP Walks out of ECFA Review
(Taipei Times, Jul. 10, 2010) The DPP caucus withdrew from the provisional legislative session called to review the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement with Beijing after the legislature ruled to allow the agreement to skip a committee review.

ECFA Sent for Second Reading
(China Post, Jul. 9, 2010) The Legislative Yuan decided to skip committee review and submit the landmark China trade accord for second reading in the plenary session amid scuffles between rival lawmakers that has seen several injured.

US Rules out Taiwan Free Trade Deal
(AFP, Jul. 7, 2010) The United States has ruled out a free trade agreement with Taiwan amid a dispute over beef imports, days after the island signed a sweeping accord with longtime adversary China.

Wang Offers ECFA-Stalemate Compromise
(CNA, Jul. 7, 2010) Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng suggested a compromise to try to resolve an impasse over the method to be used for legislative screening of a recently concluded cross-Taiwan Strait trade pact.

Japanese Press Calls for New Approach toward Taiwan, China
(CNA, Jul. 5, 2010) Japan should consider reopening its stalled trade pact negotiations with both Taiwan and China now Taipei and Beijing have sealed their economic cooperation framework agreement, a Japanese newspaper said.

Academic Says That ECFA Gives the Edge to Beijing
(Taipei Times, Jul. 5, 2010) An industrial economics expert criticized government comments that the cross-strait ECFA would benefit the grassroots, saying that Taiwan’s “early harvest” list under the ECFA was problematic.

Lawmakers Cannot Revise ECFA: Ma
(China Post, Jul. 3, 2010) Ma said lawmakers can either endorse or reject the economic cooperation framework agreement (ECFA), but cannot revise it.

Taiwan President Defends China Trade Agreement
(AP, Jul. 1, 2010) Taiwan's president defended his landmark trade deal with China against claims that it would lead to a Beijing takeover, as the opposition girded for elections that could determine the fate of the ambitious China opening.

AIT Welcomes ECFA Signing, Denies Arms Sales Notification Suspensions (CNA, Jun. 30, 2010) The United States welcomes the signing of a historical cross-Taiwan Strait trade agreement and its policy on arm sales to Taiwan remains unchanged, the top U.S. diplomat in Taiwan said.

Taiwan Targets Asian Countries for FTAs: Report
(AFP, Jun. 30, 2010) Taiwan is now looking to forge several free trade agreements in Asia after signing a sweeping and historic pact with China, a report said.

Taiwan and China Sign Landmark Trade Agreement
(BBC, Jun. 29, 2010) China and Taiwan have signed a historic trade pact, seen as the most significant agreement since civil war split the two governments 60 years ago.

No Need for Taiwan FTA, Philippine Minister Says
(Taipei Times, Jun. 28, 2010) Recent comments by the Philippines’ trade and industry secretary cast doubt on the feasibility of Taiwan being able to sign FTA with other economies in the region after it signs an ECFA with China.

Taiwan Trade Pact with China Fires Up Protesters
(LA Times, Jun. 27, 2010) Tens of thousands of Taiwanese marched on the streets of Taipei to protest a trade agreement with China that is being called the most important deal between the two sides since they split after a civil war ended in 1949.

Ma to Address ECFA Era Strategy
(CNA, Jun. 27, 2010) President Ma Ying-jeou described a soon-to-be-signed cross-Taiwan Strait ECFA as a major step in the transformation of Taiwan's economy and said he will address the nation's global economic strategy in the ECFA era on July 1.

Anti-ECFA Demonstrations to Take Place in Taipei City
(China Post, Jun. 26, 2010) Thousands of opposition leaders and supporters take to the streets today in Taipei to protest against the upcoming signing of an economic pact with China.

Early Harvest Lists Finalized at ECFA Meet
(China Post, Jun. 25, 2010) As many as 539 Taiwanese products and services are placed on the “early harvest list” to enjoy tariff cuts or market access treatment under the cross-strait ECFA, more than double the corresponding figure of 267 Chinese products and services.

Taiwan and China to Sign Landmark Trade Deal on June 29
(Reuters, Jun. 24, 2010) The economic cooperation framework agreement (ECFA) would see tariffs cut on some 540 Taiwanese products bound for China and about 270 Chinese products exported to Taiwan, said sources and media reports.

Taipei, Beijing to Hold ECFA Preparatory Meeting
(Taipei Times, Jun. 23, 2010) Taipei and Beijing will hold a preparatory meeting in Taipei tomorrow to iron out final differences on an economic cooperation framework agreement (ECFA) before top negotiators from both sides meet next week to sign the deal.

Taiwan Should Alter China Strategy: Japanese Expert
(CNA, Jun. 22, 2010) Taiwan needs to focus on logistics and other professional services in China as the country will soon lose its advantage in capitalizing on cheap Chinese labor due to wage hikes and a stronger Chinese yuan, a visiting Japanese corporate strategist said.

Taiwan to Gain in ECFA
(China Post, Jun. 16, 2010) The export value of the 500 Taiwan products eligible for tariff exemptions or reductions amounts to about US$12 billion a year, four times the sales of the 250 Chinese products that will enjoy similar preferential tariff treatment.

Taiwan Stocks, Dollar Rise on China Trade Agreement; Bonds Fall
(Bloomberg, Jun. 14, 2010) Taiwan’s stocks rose to a three-week high and the dollar gained as the island and China agreed to boost trade worth about $110 billion a year.

ECFA with China Ready for Signing
(China Post, Jun. 14, 2010) Trade officials from Taiwan and China concluded the latest round of talks on proposed ECFA with consensus reached on the text of the major accord and the five sets of attached documents.

Taiwan, China Hold Trade Talks Amid Deal Speculation
(Bloomberg, Jun. 13, 2010) China and Taiwan held a third round of talks today to strengthen economic and trade ties, with the mainland’s lead negotiator saying agreement may be imminent on goods, services and industries chosen for initial tariff cuts.

Taiwan, China in Stalemate Over ECFA Terms: Premier
(AFP, Jun. 13, 2010) Taiwan and China were “stuck” in negotiations on their trade pact, the island's premier said, in the latest sign that the two sides may miss this month's deadline for concluding the agreement.

Lee Teng-hui Calls on Public to Oppose ECFA
(Taipei Times, Jun. 13, 2010) Former president Lee Teng-hui urged the public to join the campaigns opposing an economic cooperation framework agreement with China and calling for abolishing the Referendum Review Committee.

Taiwan Official: To Hold Trade Talks with China in Beijing June 13-14 (Dow Jones, Jun. 10, 2010) Officials from Taiwan and China plan to meet in Beijing on June 13-14 for the third round of talks on which sectors will be the first to enjoy favorable tax terms under a trade pact to be signed later this year.

Taiwan Entitled to Sign Official Pacts with Other Countries: Ma
(CNA, Jun. 2, 2010) In an interview with the BBC, Ma again urged Beijing "not to stand in Taiwan's way of clinching FTAs with foreign countries." BBC Chinese Interviewed President Ma

Taiwan Foreign FTAs Opposed
(Reuters, Jun. 2, 2010) Taiwan protested after China said it will object to foreign countries signing free trade agreements with the island, a blow to what Taipei officials see as a key driver to its economy.

Early-harvest List Is Key to ECFA: Sources
(China Post, Jun. 1, 2010) Whether the cross-strait Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement can be smoothly inked or not will hinge mainly on whether both sides can reach a consensus on the early-harvest list, according to informed sources.

ECFA Could Help with Trade Deals: Ex-AIT Chair
(CNA, May 31, 2010) A proposed trade deal between Taiwan and China could help Taiwan become part of the Asian economic integration and avoid marginalization in the region, Richard C. Bush said.

ECFA Signing Will Not Be Rushed, Vice Minister Says
(CNA, May 28, 2010) The government will not rush to sign an economic cooperation framework agreement with China although it is still aiming to conclude the pact by the end of June, Vice Minister of Economic Affairs Lin Sheng-chung said.

Opposition Launches Anti-ECFA Sit-in
(CNA, May 21, 2010) Opposition groups staged a sit-in in Taipei against the government's plan to sign an economic cooperation framework agreement (ECFA) with China.

Short-term Benefits Erode Vitality: Tsai
(China Post, May 9, 2010) Chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen of the opposition DPP criticized that what the Kuomintang-ruled government is doing is aimed at pursuing short-term political benefits, gradually undermining the vitality of the nation's cornerstone.

ECFA Will Boost Taiwan’s Economic Growth: Kumar
(CNA, May 7, 2010) A proposed cross-Taiwan Strait economic cooperation framework agreement (ECFA) will help Taiwan achieve sustained economic growth once it is signed, an economist with the United Nations said.

ECFA Would Be Scrapped If Vetoed in Referendum: Minister
(CNA, May 6, 2010) The government would seek to terminate the future economic cooperation framework agreement (ECFA) with China if the deal were vetoed by the people in a referendum, Minister of Economic Affairs Shih Yen-shiang said.

Economist in Favor of ECFA, with Conditions
(CNA, May 2, 2010) Chen Tain-jy, a former chairman of the Council for Economic Planning and Development, described the signing of the economic cooperation framework agreement (ECFA) as Taiwan's first step in reaching out to the world.

Ma Sees ECFA as Tool for Peace in Strait
(Taipei Times, Apr. 29, 2010) President Ma Ying-jeou said an economic cooperation framework agreement his administration intends to sign with Beijing would bring “deeper, greater and longer” peace in the Taiwan Strait.

President to Move Fast on New Trade Deals
(Reuters, Apr. 28, 2010) President Ma Ying-jeou said the island will move quickly to start talks on free trade agreements with other countries as he seeks to avoid what he sees as a “fatal” isolation for the US$390 billion economy.

Taiwan President and Opposition Debate China Deal
(Bloomberg, Apr. 26, 2010) Taiwan's president said he will guard Taiwan's sovereignty when signing a major China trade deal to bolster the island's economy, while the opposition charged the pact will be harmful politically and economically.

Taiwan Dollar Gains, Bonds Decline, on Support for China Pact
(Bloomberg, Apr. 26, 2010) Public support for a planned Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement with the mainland increased seven percentage points to 48 percent after Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou held a televised debate on the pact with the opposition leader.

China Trade Pact Will Lead to More FTAs: Minister
(AFP, Apr. 19, 2010) Taiwan's economic minister has said that signing a trade pact with Beijing will prompt other countries to sign free trade agreements with the island, according to a report.

Next ECFA Talks to Produce Early Harvest List: Official
(Taipei Times, Apr. 19, 2010) The third round of talks between Taiwan and China later this month on a proposed economic cooperation framework agreement is expected to produce a clear draft of an “early harvest” list of products and services for tariff concessions, a finance official said.

Landmark China Trade Deal Possible in June: Ma
(AFP, Apr. 16, 2010) President Ma Ying-jeou said Taiwan could sign an historic trade deal with China as early as June and that it would bring major benefits to the whole Asian region.

China Calls for Earlier ECFA at Boao
(CNA, Apr. 12, 2010) Delegates from Taiwan and China at the 2010 Boao Forum for Asia in China's Hainan province have pushed for an earlier signing of a proposed cross-strait economic cooperation framework agreement.

Xi Calls for Smooth ECFA Negotiation
(Xinhua, Apr. 10, 2010) Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping said that the mainland is willing to see the ongoing negotiations of the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement with Taiwan "smoothly proceed without disturbance so as to achieve results and produce economic benefit soon."

Porter, Harvard Economist, Lends Support to ECFA
(Taipei Times, Apr. 10, 2010) Harvard Business School professor Michael Porter said in Taipei that he supports a proposed trade pact between Taiwan and China, but he also urged Taiwan to work on its weaknesses to attract foreign investment.

DPP Renews Call for ECFA Referendum
(CNA, Apr. 10, 2010) Opposition Democratic Progressive Party Chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen renewed her party's call for a referendum to settle the differences over a proposed economic cooperation framework agreement (ECFA) with China.

Ma, Tsai Debate Scheduled for April 25
(Taipei Times, Apr. 8, 2010) The Presidential Office and the Democratic Progressive Party will hold a debate on the government’s proposed economic cooperation framework agreement with China in a live TV session on April 25.

First ECFA Debate to Be Held Tomorrow
(Taipei Times, Arp. 4, 2010) The TV debate, in which an ECFA negotiator will square off against ex-DPP legislators, is a lead-up to a showdown between the president and the DPP chairperson.

President, DPP Chairperson to Hold Debate on ECFA
(Taipei Times, Apr. 2, 2010) A highly anticipated debate between President Ma Ying-jeou and Democratic Progressive Party Chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen  is scheduled to take place before the end of this month, representatives from both sides said.

China, Taiwan Move Closer to Trade Pact by June
(Reuters, Apr. 1, 2010) China and Taiwan moved closer to signing a landmark free trade-style deal by mid-year that would give a boost to $109 billion in annual trade between the once bitter political rivals.

ECFA Pact Taking Shape
(China Post, Apr. 1, 2010) Negotiators from Taipei and Beijing have agreed to hold an extra session early this morning in order to hammer out substantive results for the proposed ECFA which was described as taking shape following a full-day discussion.

China’s Concessions to Taiwan
(Strait Times, Apr. 1, 2010) Among other things, Mr Wang Yi promised in an interview with Taiwan's Wang Daily, that Beijing would neither ask the island to further ease its curbs on agricultural imports from China nor allow Chinese laborers into the island to work.

ECFA by June: Shih
(China Post, Mar. 31, 2010) Minister of Economic Affairs Shih Yen-shiang expressed optimism at formally signing a proposed economic cooperation framework agreement (ECFA) between Taiwan and China by June.

Second Round of ECFA Talks to Open in Taipei March 31
(CNA, Mar. 29, 2010) A second round of formal negotiations on a wide-reaching trade accord between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait will open in Taipei March 31, the Straits Exchange Foundation announced.

Taiwan Using China Trade Deal to Sell Foreign FTAs
(Reuters, Mar. 27, 2010) Taiwan has leveraged its goal of a landmark trade deal with China to open talks with Japan, the United States and other powers on free trade deals expected to boost the long-isolated island economy, officials said.

TSU Launches New Drive for Referendum on ECFA
(Taipei Times, Mar. 21, 2010) The Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU) yesterday launched a signature drive for a referendum against the government’s proposed economic cooperation framework agreement with China.

Ex-president Questions Impact of ECFA on FTAs
(CNA, Mar. 14, 2010) Former President Lee Teng-hui questioned whether Taiwan will be able to sign free trade agreements (FTAs) with other countries after it signs a trade pact with China, as the government has argued.

Premier Hopes to Sign ECFA with Beijing Soon
(CNA, Mar. 7, 2010) Premier Wu Den-yih said that the two sides of the Taiwan Strait hope to sign a trade pact in May or June, depending on the progress of the negotiations.

ECFA Likely to Be Signed in May or June: ARATS
(CNA, Mar. 5, 2010) A proposed economic cooperation framework agreement (ECFA) between China and Taiwan is likely to be signed in May or June, Beijing-based Association for the Relations Across the Taiwan Straits  President Chen Yunlin said.

Ex-MAC Official Urges Ma to Rethink ECFA
(Taipei Times, Mar. 5, 2010) Tung Chen-yuan said the government’s strategy was unclear and it had failed to fully evaluate the impact of an ECFA and communicate with the public.

Taiwan’s Stocks Index Most in Six Months on Mainland Trade Talks (Bloomberg, Mar. 1, 2010) Taiwan shares rose the most in six months on speculation China will agree on tax breaks for companies from the island, boosting their profits.

Executive Yuan Group Upholds Referendum Rejection
(Taipei Times, Feb. 27, 2010) The Executive Yuan’s Committee of Appeal has upheld the Referendum Review Committee’s denial of a request from the DPP to put the government’s planned ECFA with China to a referendum.

Second Round of ECFA Talks Expected to Take Place in March
(CNA, Feb. 22, 2010) Minister of Economic Affairs, Shih Yen-shiang, said that the second round of official negotiations on a proposed cross-strait ECFA will probably take place in Taipei in early March.

Beijing Leader Promises Pact Won’t Harm Farmers
(China Post, Feb. 14, 2010) Chinese President, Hu Jintao, has assured that the economic cooperation framework agreement (ECFA) sought by Beijing and Taipei will look after the interest of farmers in Taiwan, a report said.

ECFA Core Issue at Talks: SEF Chairman
(Taipei Times, Feb. 9, 2010) “The core negotiations this year will be on the ECFA, followed by intellectual property rights and avoidance of dual taxation,” Chiang said.

DPP to Boycott MAC Briefing on ECFA
(CNA, Feb. 2, 2010) The opposition Democratic Progressive Party legislative caucus said that its members will not attend a briefing on a proposed economic cooperation framework agreement (ECFA) with China given by Mainland Affairs Council.

Taiwan Seeks to Join P4 Trade Group
(CNA, Jan. 30, 2010) Taiwan will continue its efforts to join the Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership Agreement (TPPA), despite several unsuccessful bids, the director-general of the Bureau of Foreign Trade said.

China, Taiwan to Speed Up Broad Trade Pact
(Reuters, Jan. 27, 2010) China and Taiwan agreed to speed up the process of negotiating a broad free trade-style at preliminary talks this week, a Beijing official said.

ECFA Talks Set for 26th
(China Post, Jan. 25, 2010) The first round of formal negotiations on a proposed economic cooperation framework agreement (ECFA) between Taiwan and China will take place in Beijing on Jan. 26.

China Will Not Block FTAs: MAC Chair
(Taipei Times, Jan. 23, 2010) Mainland Affairs Council Chairwoman Lai Shin-yuan said she believed Beijing would not obstruct Taiwan from signing free-trade agreements with other countries.

ECFA ‘Just the Beginning’: Ma
(Taipei Times, Jan. 22, 2010) The president told the ‘Taipei Times’ that an ECFA with China would help reduce obstructions to Taiwan’s efforts to sign FTAs with ASEAN members. Interview: ECFA Will Help Taiwan Catch Up with Asia

China Denies Supporting Taiwanese FTAs
(Taipei Times, Jan. 21, 2010) China’s Taiwan Affairs Office denied that its spokesman, Wang Yi, ever said that it would be to the advantage of both sides of the Strait if Taiwan could sign free trade agreements with other countries.

Legislative Yuan Could Overrule ECFA: Speaker
(Reuters, Jan. 16, 2010) A broad trade pact between Taiwan and China could be set back as legislators review and possibly overrule it, Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng said.

Inking ECFA Still Goal of Next Talks: Shih Yen-shiang
(Taipei Times, Jan. 15, 2010) The government will continue working toward the goal of signing a trade pact with China during the next round of high-level cross-strait talks to be held in the first half of this year in China, Minister of Economic Affairs Shih Yen-shiang said.

90% CEO of Top 1,000 Firms Back ECFA
(China Post, Jan. 14, 2010) Some 90 percent of the CEOs of Taiwan's top 1,000 enterprises polled expressed their support for the inking of the proposed Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement across the Taiwan Strait, according to a survey conducted by the CommonWealth Magazine.

Trade Talks with China to Begin Jan. 20
(Bloomberg, Jan. 9, 2010) Taiwan plans to begin formal talks with China on lowering import tariffs on Jan. 20, Premier Wu Den-yih said.

Gov’t Urged to Sign ECFA and FTA Simultaneously
(China Post, Jan. 3, 2010) Taiwan should clearly relay to mainland China its intention of simultaneously signing the ECFA with China and FTA with ASEAN if it is to take advantage of the ECFA to push for the inking of FTA with the ASEAN, a consultant for Taiwanese investment in mainland China said.

Investment Protection, Security on Cross-Strait Agenda after ECFA
(CNA, Dec. 28, 2009) Negotiations between Taiwan and China will move on to the issues of investment protection and security after the signing of a proposed ECFA, a MOFA official said.

Taiwan Has Hard Role in TPP Process: Scholars
(CNA, Dec. 24, 2009) American scholars said in a video conference that while the United States needs trade policy to engage Asia and the expansion of the Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership (TPP) is seen as an opportunity, Taiwan still has difficulty playing a role.

ECFA Now Top Priority
(China Post, Dec. 23, 2009) Top negotiators from both sides stressed the urgency of beginning talks on a proposed Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA).

President Ma Vows to Strive for FTAs after Inking ECFA
(China Post, Dec. 21, 2009) President Ma Ying-jeou pledged the government will continue its efforts to reach FTAs with other countries after securing an ECFA with China.

DPP Wants Cross-Strait WTO Economic Pact
(China Post, Dec. 20, 2009) Any bilateral economic and trade agreement between Taiwan and China should be signed under the framework of theWTO, Chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen of the opposition DPP said.

Ma Hopes ECFA Will Help Ties with ASEAN
(China Post, Dec. 17, 2009) President Ma Ying-jeou said Taiwan hopes the economic pact it is seeking to sign with China will help promote the island's ties with members of the ASEAN.

Ma Offers to Debate ECFA with Tsai
(CNA, Dec. 13, 2009) President Ma Ying-jeou has raised the possibility of holding a debate with opposition Democratic Progressive Party Chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen on the proposed cross-Taiwan Strait Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement.

China to Weigh Local Voices for ECFA
(China Post, Dec. 10, 2009) Mainland China will take into consideration Taiwan's real situations, including different people's voices, when conducting bilateral negotiations on the contents of the proposed ECFA, according to Jiang Zhengwei, China's Vice Minister of Commerce.

ECFA Discussions to Begin Early Next Year
(China Post, Dec. 9, 2009) Premier Wu Den-yih said yesterday Taiwan must negotiate the proposed Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA) with China in order to avoid marginalization of local industries in the Asia-Pacific region.

ECFA to Continue Despite Poll Outcome
(Taipei Times, Dec. 8, 2009) The president said he would forge ahead with the ECFA, but promised to keep the legislature informed and make the negotiations transparent.

MOEA Vice Minister Francis Liang Extols Benefits of a Signed ECFA (China Post, Dec. 1, 2009) Liang said that an Economic Framework Agreement with China would help offset the impact of global and regional trade agreements. However, Taiwan's future prosperity also requires an overhaul of infrastructure and a greater emphasis on value-added industries.

Six in 10 Taiwanese Oppose China Trade Pact: Survey
(AFP, Nov. 28, 2009) Six out of 10 Taiwanese are against a major trade agreement with China that is being pushed aggressively by the island's government, a survey by National Taiwan University showed.

Planned ECFA Needs Legislative Review: Wang
(Taipei Times, Nov. 28, 2009) Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng called on the Executive Yuan to submit its planned cross-strait economic cooperation framework agreement (ECFA) to legislative review.

ECFA Will Reduce Chance of War: Ma
(Taipei Times, Nov. 20, 2009) The president said that his administration was not especially friendly with China, but ‘we still need to do business with them.’

Chiang-Chen Meeting to Herald Start of ECFA Talks
(China Post, Nov. 18, 2009) The pace for the negotiations on an ECFA across the Taiwan Strait will accelerate after the two sides formally inked the MOU on cooperation in financial supervision and two-way investments.

ECFA May Be Inked in 2010: ARATS Official
(China Post, Nov. 17, 2009) Wang Zaixi, vice president of the ARATS, said that the cross-strait ECFA would be inked in 2010, and that mainland China is quite glad to see the signing of the reciprocal pact.

ECFA Agenda Is Set on APEC Sidelines
(CNA, Nov. 16, 2009) Taiwan's Minister of Economic Affairs Shih Yen-hsiang met his Chinese counterpart behind closed doors in Singapore to work out an agenda for bilateral talks on a proposed bilateral ECFA.

Hu Promises ECFA Talks
(China Post, Nov. 15, 2009) Chinese President Hu Jintao promised to Lien Chan, Taiwan's representative at the 2009 APEC summit meeting in Singapore, that talks on a proposed ECFA across the Taiwan Strait will start by the end of the year, according to informed sources.

ECFA Inking at 5th Ralks ‘Reasonable’: Premier Wu
(CNA, Nov. 13, 2009) Premier Wu Den-yih said that it is “reasonable” that the two sides of the Taiwan Strait can expect to sign an ECFA in the fifth round of talks between the top cross-strait negotiators on each side.

Lien to Push ECFA
(CNA, Nov. 10, 2009) The nation's representative to an Asia-Pacific informal leadership meeting said yesterday he will help push for the two sides of the Taiwan Strait to sign a bilateral partial free trade agreement as early as possible.

Top Trade Official Arrives in Beijing
(CNA, Nov. 5, 2009) Bureau of Foreign Trade Director-General Huang Chih-peng arrived in Beijing on a low-profile visit during which he is expected to hold informal talks with Chinese officials on the signing of a cross-Taiwan Strait ECFA.

Taiwan, China to Begin Trade Pact Talks in December
(Bloomberg, Nov. 3, 2009) Taiwan and China will begin talks on a trade agreement in December as the island seeks to revive its economy and the government in Beijing aims for extra leverage over its counterpart in Taipei.

Taiwan-China Talks off Again
(AFP, Nov. 2, 2009) Taiwan has called off a delegation that was to have left on Monday morning for informal trade talks in China.

Taiwan, China to Exchange ‘Early Harvest’ Lists for Pact
(CNA, Oct. 27, 2009) Taiwan and China will soon take a critical step forward toward their goal of signing an economic cooperation framework agreement (ECFA), as they will exchange “early harvest” lists next week, officials said.

China Ready for ECFA
(China Post, Oct. 26, 2009) Wang Yi of the TAO said that both sides of the Taiwan Straits can kick off official talks on the signing of the ECFA during the fourth round of meetings between China's ARATS and Taiwan's SEF slated for December in Taichung. Taiwan Will Proceed ‘Gradually’ with Talks

Inking ECFA Not a Zero-sum Game: BOFT
(China Post, Oct. 23, 2009) The signing of the proposed ECFA across the Taiwan Strait is not a zero-sum game between Taiwan and mainland China, but a move beneficial to both sides, Director General of the BOFT said.

CLA Unveils Report on ECFA Pros and Cons
(China Post, Oct. 22, 2009) Signing the ECFA with China will create 105,000 to 125,000 job opportunities for people in Taiwan, but if the pact is not inked, then Taiwan may stand to lose some 47,000 job opportunities, according to a study report released by the Council of Labor Affairs.

Taiwan Delays Informal China Trade Talks
(AFP, Oct. 19, 2009) Informal trade talks between Taiwan and China scheduled for this week have been delayed, as Taipei officials will be busy answering budget questions in parliament, the government said.

MOEA Stands Firm on Farm, Labor Trade for ECFA Pact
(China Post, Oct. 16, 2009) The MOEA will strongly oppose the signing of an ECFA with China if the deal widens the opening of Taiwan market to more Chinese agricultural products or allows the entry of laborers from the other side of the Taiwan Strait.

Taiwan, China to Hold Informal Trade Talks: Report
(AFP, Oct. 12, 2009) Taiwan and China will hold informal talks next week in preparation of a much-anticipated trade pact, local media reported.

ECFA May Act As Catalyst: Lai
(Taipei Times, Oct. 7, 2009) The MAC chairwoman said that as the nation has an export-driven economy, the signing of an ECFA with China may trigger a series of FTAs with Taiwan.

Cross-Strait Financial MOU Likely in November
(CNA, Oct. 1, 2009) Taiwan and China are expected to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on cross-Taiwan Strait cooperation on financial supervision in November.

Premier Wu Rules Out a Referendum on ECFA
(China Post, Sep. 30, 2009) Premier Wu Den-yih ruled out a referendum on an economic cooperation framework agreement between Taiwan and China.

TSU Chief Says ECFA will Cause ‘Crisis’
(Taipei Times, Sep. 25, 2009) Echoing former Taiwan High Speed Rail Corp chairwoman Nita Ing’s remark that migration of industries was what “killed” the high-speed rail business, TSU Chairman Huang Kun-huei said the government’s plan to sign an ECFA with China would just make the situation worse.

Ma Rushing ECFA: Trade Lobby
(Taipei Times, Sep. 24, 2009) Rupert Hammond-Chambers said a poor result in year-end elections would cost the president significant support for policies such as the ECFA.

Committee Rejects Request for Referendum on ECFA
(Taipei Times, Aug. 28, 2009) The Executive Yuan's Referendum Review Committee yesterday turned down a petition submitted by the DPP asking for a referendum on the ECFA that the government plans to sign with China.

Trade Pact to Be Made by Year-End: China
(CNA, Aug. 21, 2009) A visiting Chinese commerce official said he is confident that negotiations on an economic cooperation framework agreement between Taiwan and China will be concluded by the end of this year.

Chinese Expert on Taiwan Contradicts Ma’s ECFA Claims
(Taipei Times, Aug. 14, 2009) The essence of cross-strait economic integration is to advance the undertaking of peaceful unification with China, a Chinese expert on Taiwan affairs said at a cross-strait forum.

Lu Makes Case for FTAs with Regional Countries
(Taipei Times, Aug. 10, 2009) Former vice president Annette Lu urged the administration to pressure Beijing to help Taiwan sign free-trade agreements with its non-allied countries.

Legislature Suggests Listing IPR Protection in Pact
(CNA, Aug. 4, 2009) The legislature suggested listing intellectual property rights protection in the government’s planned Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement with China, saying that IPR disputes involving Taiwanese businesses operating in China were common.

Ministry Distorted ECFA Study: DPP
(Taipei Times, Jul. 31, 2009) The DPP accused the Ministry of Economic Affairs of tampering with an impact assessment report on signing an ECFA with China, saying the ministry had deflated potential job losses that could follow the trade deal's implementation.

ECFA with China May Push Up Taiwan’s GDP Growth by 1.7 Percentage Points: MOEA (China Post, Jul. 29, 2009) If Taiwan signs an ECFA with China, it would add 1.7 percentage points to the island's GDP growth rate, the Ministry of Economic Affairs announced at a press conference.

Taiwan Leader Calls for China Trade Pact But No Rush to Meet Hu
(AFP, Jul. 29, 2009) Taiwan's President Ma Ying-jeou called for a trade pact with China but said he was not likely to meet his Chinese counterpart soon despite warming ties between the former bitter rivals.

DPP’s ECFA Referendum Initiative Passes First Hurdle
(CNA, Jul. 26, 2009) An opposition Democratic Progressive Party-backed referendum initiative on the proposed economic cooperation framework agreement (ECFA) with China has passed the first hurdle.

Taiwan, China to Talk Trade in October: Report
(AFP, Jul. 25, 2009) Taiwan and China will begin negotiations on a comprehensive trade pact in October, in a further step towards closer economic ties between the two neighbours, a report said.

Taiwan, China Tight-Lipped on Meeting
(CNA, Jul. 23, 2009) The economic ministers of Taiwan and China were tight-lipped yesterday after meeting on the sidelines of the APEC forum in Singapore.

Economics Minister to Meet Chinese Counterpart in Singapore
(CNA, Jul. 20, 2009) Minister of Economic Affairs Yiin Chii-ming headed for Singapore to attend a trade ministers meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum.

Taiwan, China Aim to Sign FTA-Like Deal in 2010
(Reuters, Jul. 13, 2009) Taiwan and China could sign a free-trade style agreement later than expected, a top Taiwanese official for cross-strait affairs said.

ECFA with China Remains a Priority: President Ma
(CNA, Jul. 7, 2009) President Ma Ying-jeou said forging an economic cooperation framework agreement with China remains a priority for his administration's negotiations with China.

Cross-Strait Trade Pact to be Signed Late This Year or in 2010
(CNA, Jul. 5, 2009) Taiwan and China are likely to sign an economic cooperation framework agreement late this year or early next year, according to Minister of Economic Affairs Yiin Chii-ming.

ECFA Crucial to Taiwan’s Competitiveness: SEF Chairman
(CNA, Jun. 28, 2009) The signing of an economic cooperation framework agreement with China is crucial to Taiwan's ability to compete with other countries on an equal basis, SEF Chairman P.K. Chiang said.

Cross-Strait Talks on ECFA May Start in October: Yiin
(China Post, Jun. 25, 2009) Economic Minister Yiin Chii-ming said that both sides of the Taiwan Straits may kick off negotiations on the signing of the proposed Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement in October at the earliest.

DPP Begins Bid to Collect Signatures for Referendum
(Taipei Times, Jun. 15, 2009) The Democratic Progressive Party commenced its bid to collect 100,000 signatures in the first stage of a plan to call a referendum on the government’s planned economic cooperation framework agreement with China.

DPP to Initiate Referendum on ECFA by August
(China Post, Jun. 1, 2009) Despite President Ma Ying-jeou's objection, the opposition Democratic Progressive Party is all set to initiate a referendum on an economic cooperation framework agreement between Taiwan and China.

Beijing Ready to Negotiate ECFA Before Year’s End
(China Post, May 27, 2009) China is ready to negotiate, and possibly conclude, an economic cooperation framework agreement (ECFA) with Taiwan before the end of this year, according to KMT chairman Wu Poh-hsiung.

ECFA Negotiations May Begin in October: Yin
(China Post, May 26, 2009) Negotiations on a cross-strait economic cooperation framework agreement may begin in October at the earliest, said Economics Minister Yiin Chii-ming.

Taiwan Wants to Sign Trade Pact with China As Soon As Possible
(DPA, May 24, 2009) Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou urged China to sign a trade pact with Taiwan as soon as possible, despite objection from Taiwan’s opposition party DPP.

No Referendum Is Needed on ECFA Proposal: Ma
(Taipei Times, May 20, 2009) President Ma Ying-jeou said the economic pact his administration plans to sign with Beijing does not require a referendum because it steers clear of politics and concerns only economic issues.

Beijing Says It Is Prepared to Conclude ECFA with Taipei
(China Post, May 18, 2009) Speaking at the meeting of the Straits Forum on China-Taiwan Relations, Wang Yi said Beijing is now ready to negotiate and conclude an economic cooperation framework agreement  with Taipei.

Lee Teng-hui Criticizes Ma’s ECFA Plans
(China Post, May 17, 2009) Former President Lee Teng-hui said the Ma administration is making its most serious mistake by trying to sign an economic cooperation framework agreement with China.

Tsai Warns of Strategic Collapse
(Taipei Times, May 8, 2009) Democratic Progressive Party Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen told a Washington audience that there remains “a deep sense of anxiety and uncertainty within Taiwan” about the way President Ma Ying-jeou  has engaged in rapid rapprochement with China.

Ma Wants ECFA in Cross-Strait Talks
(Taipei Times, Apr. 25, 2009) President Ma Ying-jeou instructed the head of the Straits Exchange Foundation to discuss the government's proposed economic cooperation framework agreement with China during cross-strait negotiations.

Details Finalized for Cross-Strait Talks
(Taipei Times, Apr. 19, 2009) The third round of cross-strait talks between the Straits Exchange Foundation and China’s Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait will be held from April 25 to April 29 in Nanjing, China, a preparatory meeting for the talks determined.

ECFA with China to Help U.S. FTA: Yuan
(China Post, Apr. 16, 2009) Taiwan's representative to Washington Jason Yuan said that if Taiwan signs an Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement with China, it will effectively help push the signing of an Free Trade Agreement between Taipei and Washington.

Tsai Pans Ma Over ECFA
(Taipei Times, Apr. 12, 2009) Democratic Progressive Party Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen said President Ma Ying-jeou would hear “the people’s angry shouts” on May 17 if he insists on signing an economic cooperation framework agreement with China.

DPP Scholars, Officials Clash on ECFA Plan
(China Post, Apr. 12, 2009) Economic Minister Yiin Chii-ming and former chairman Chen Po-chih of the Council for Economic Planning and Development engaged in heated debates over issues related to a proposed ECFA between Taiwan and China.

‘Opt Out’ Clause Mulled for ECFA: MOEA Chief
(Taipei Times, Mar. 30, 2009) The government has been in contact with China on the economic cooperation framework agreement and is considering the addition of an “opt out” clause in the trade pact, Minister of Economic Affairs Yiin Chii-ming said.

ECFA Will Divide Society: Tsai
(Taipei Times, Mar. 25, 2009) Tsai said the DPP is opposed to any treaty signed under the “one China” framework and the party opposes any economic treaty with China that would lead to a serious loss of jobs in Taiwan.

Ma Willing to Listen, But Determined That ECFA Will be Signed
(Taipei Times, Mar. 21, 2009) President Ma Ying-jeou reiterated the government’s determination to sign an economic cooperation framework agreement (ECFA) with China.

Signing ECFA with No. 1 Export Market Vital to Taiwan Trade: Ma
(China Post, Mar. 8, 2009) President Ma Ying-jeou stressed that as mainland China is Taiwan's largest export market, signing an ECFA with China can help to normalize cross-strait economic and trade ties.

Taiwan Should Bundle Trade Pact Talks: Scholars
(CNA, Mar. 5, 2009) Scholars suggested that the proposed economic cooperation framework agreement (ECFA) with China should be promoted in tandem with economic talks with other countries.

Premier Denies ‘Political’ Bias in ECFA Plan
(Taipei Times, Mar. 4, 2009) Premier Liu Chao-shiuan promised not to sign an “economic cooperation framework agreement” (ECFA) with China under a “political” framework amid opposition lawmakers’ concerns that the nation would not have equal footing with China.

China: Economic Zone Proposed with Taiwan
(New York Times, Mar. 3, 2009) The Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, an advisory body in Beijing, will receive a proposal to set up a “cross-straits economic zone” with Taiwan.

Taiwan Renames Trade Pact
(Strait Times, Mar. 2, 2009) The four-letter acronym of a proposed trade pact with China has sparked such a storm in Taiwan that the government had to change its name.

CECA Is Non-political: Ma
(China Post, Feb. 28, 2009) President Ma Ying-jeou reiterated that the unification-independence issue has nothing to do with the economic pact that Taiwan is seeking to sign with China in order to boost the island's competitiveness.

Content of Pact Must Be OK’d by the Legislature: MAC Head
(CNA, Feb. 28, 2009) If Taiwan signs a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement with China, it would not take effect unless the Legislature approves it, Taiwan's top China-policy planner reiterated.

No Timetable for Signing CECA with China: Premier
(CNA, Feb. 25, 2009) The government has not set a timetable for the signing of a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement with China, because this will depend partly on the progress of negotiations between the two sides, Premier Liu Chao-shiuan said.

WTO Basis for CECA Talks: Yiin
(China Post, Feb. 23, 2009) Taipei officials tried to deny a comprehensive economic cooperation arrangement between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait isn't the first step toward Chinese unification.

CECA Won’t Be Signed at Meet: SEF Head
(China Post, Feb. 19, 2009) Taiwan and China will not sign a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement during their planned third round of negotiations, Chiang Pin-kung, chairman of Taiwan's Straits Exchange Foundation, reiterated.

DPP Urges Consensus Before CECA Is Signed
(China Post, Feb. 15, 2009) Chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen of the opposition Democratic Progressive Party called for the government not to sign a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) with China without the social consensus of the Taiwanese people.

Taiwan to Study Possible CECA with China
(CNA, Feb. 14, 2009) The Ministry of Economic Affairs promised yesterday to study the feasibility of signing a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) with China, in response to a call by business and industrial groups for the government to hold talks with Beijing on that and other trade matters.

Gov’t Looking to Talk to China on CECA
(China Post, Feb. 11, 2009) The government will seek to start discussing negotiations with China about reaching the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement starting this year in a bid to help Taiwanese enterprises maintain and beef up export sales.

‘Economic First’ in Cross-Strait Policy: SEF
(CNA, Feb. 10, 2009) Taiwan has not changed its “economy first, politics later” stance in its cross-Taiwan Strait policy, Taiwan's Straits Exchange Foundation Chairman Chiang Pin-kung said in an interview carried in Singapore newspaper, Lianhe Zaobao.

Taiwan to Speed Up Talks with China on Trade Deal
(Reuters, Feb. 2, 2009) Taiwan plans to speed up talks with diplomatic rival China this year on a wide-reaching trade deal amid a worsening global economic crisis, the Commercial Times said.

 

Trade Deal Casts Shadow on Taiwan By Cindy Sui
(Asia Times, Aug. 5, 2010) The Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement is set to have an impact across Taiwanese society and politics well beyond increasing business between the former foes facing each other across the Taiwan Strait.

U.S. Dislike for ECFA Is a Myth By Dennis V. Hickey
(China Post, Jul. 22, 2010) Stories about American opposition to the warming relations between Taiwan and the China receive a lot of media attention. But even a cursory examination of this issue reveals that these views do not reflect mainstream opinion in the U.S. or official American policy.

US Analysts Urge Washington to Pay Attention to ECFA By Ko Shu-ling (Taipei Times, Jul. 15, 2010) While the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement will have modest global economic effects, the geo-economic implications are significant enough to demand strategic attention from the US, two US international economists said in a recent study. Deepening China-Taiwan Relations Through the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement

Analysts: China-Taiwan Trade Deal Strengthens Ties, Challenges Remain By William Ide (VoA, Jul. 12, 2010) China's President Hu Jintao has praised a new trade agreement with Taiwan, calling it an "important achievement" in improving relations between the long-time rivals.  But as trade between the two sides grows, analysts note that challenges remain.

Taiwan Faces Two Chinas By Randy Schriver
(Washington Times, Jul. 9, 2010) Why have we not seen even a modest, symbolic step on China's part, commensurate with improvements in the economic and political spheres, to reduce the military intimidation it imposes on the people of Taiwan?

Reglobalizing Taiwan By Iana Dreyer and Razeen Sally
(Wall Street Journal, Jul. 7, 2010) Cross-Strait links must be seen as complements, not substitutes, for domestic, nondiscriminatory and unilateral pro-market reforms to improve the business climate. That will be the foundation for Taiwan's reglobalization.

ECFA Underlines Shifting Relations By Peter Enav
(AP, Jul. 4, 2010) Lavishly praised by Beijing, bitterly debated in Taipei and calmly accepted in Washington, last week’s landmark trade deal between Taiwan and China is underscoring shifting relations between them and the US.

ECFA Not a Free Ride for Taiwan By Tung Chen-yuan
(Taipei Times, Jul. 4, 2010) The ECFA is just what it says — a framework agreement — not a free-trade agreement (FTA). The real challenge for Taiwan comes now that the ECFA has been signed.

China-Taiwan Trade Deal
(Editorial, Asahi Shimbun, Jul. 2, 2010) China and Taiwan signed a landmark agreement on economic cooperation that will likely create the first free trade zone in Northeast Asia and have a significant impact on regional security.

China-Taiwan Deal to Reshape Asia Trade
(Asahi Shimbun, Jul. 1, 2010) The China-Taiwan economic cooperation agreement could reshape the trade environment in Asia, forcing Japan to shift its strategy in trade talks while prompting companies to form new ties.

China Pact Proving Hard to Sell in Taiwan By Peter Harmsen
(AFP, Jun. 30, 2010) After reaching a sweeping trade agreement, Taiwan and China face the challenge of persuading the island's 23 million people that Beijing has no ulterior political motives, analysts said.

China, Taiwan Sign Trade Pact By Keith B. Richburg
(Washington Post, Jun. 30, 2010) China and Taiwan highlighted their growing economic links Tuesday by signing a trade cooperation agreement that could dramatically increase the flow of goods across the narrow Taiwan Strait.

Taiwan-China Trade Agreement: A Game Changer By Sheridan Prasso (Fortune, Jun. 30, 2010) Taiwan finally gets to join the dynamic ring of fiery growth that has typified East Asia for the past decade. The island signed a trade agreement with China that ends its economic isolation and increases the chances for lasting peace in the Taiwan Strait.

China-Taiwan Trade Deal Has a Lesson for Korea
(Editorial, Chosun Ilbo, Jun. 30, 2010) The message sent by ECFA is clear: such achievements are possible only when both sides yield and exercise restraint with their sights set on long-term goals for the benefit of all.

Trade Deal Brings Taiwan Closer into China’s Economic Embrace By Frederik Balfour (Bloomberg, Jun. 27, 2010) Taiwan is expected to sign its first trade treaty with China tomorrow, strengthening commercial ties with the fastest-growing major economy and the island’s biggest trading partner and investment destination.

Talk of the Day—Is ECFA ‘Vitamin’ or ‘Poison’ for Taiwan?
(CNA, Jun. 23, 2010) Japanese management guru Kenichi Ohmae said in Taipei that the imminent cross-Taiwan Strait economic cooperation framework agreement (ECFA) will be a "vitamin" for Taiwan's economy.

China’s Gravitational Pull on Taiwan By Frederik Balfour
(Bloomberg, Jun. 17, 2010) China has 1,400 missiles pointed at Taiwan, a stark reminder that Beijing still views the neighboring island as a renegade province. The two economies, however, have rarely been more in sync.

Weighing the Costs in Asian Trade Talks By Jonathan Adams
(New York Times, May 13, 2010) Taiwan’s president, Ma Ying-jeou, hopes to use the Taiwan-China trade deal to fully normalize economic relations with Beijing while expanding the island’s access to other markets.

All Economics Is Political: ECFA Front and Center By Alan Romberg
(China Leadership Monitor, Hoover Institution, Spring 2010) The transpacific controversy between the U.S. and China seemed to have no impact on cross-Strait relations, and, although not all was smooth sailing, Taipei and Beijing began to close in on signing an Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA) by May or June.

Interview: Tsai Says No Urgency for Trade Deal By Ralph Jennings and Jonathan Standing (Reuters, May 11, 2010) The DPP would seek a trade deal with Beijing under international rules if it returns to power, seeking safeguards for Taiwan that it says are missing in the pact the KMT government plans to sign next month.

Optimizing Taiwan’s Development By Tung Chen-yuan
(Taipei Times, May 5, 2010) Taiwan has got to come out fighting and be more pro-active in promoting global economic integration, while pushing unilateral and domestically agreed upon deregulation. This is the only way we can avoid getting caught in a geopolitical quagmire and circumvent the political obstructions that China is laying before us.

Debating China in Taiwan
(The Economist, Apr. 29, 2010) Pollsters disagreed about who won the debate. But, at the least, Mr Ma managed to halt the slide in his popularity.

Hu’s New Year Charm Offensive toward Taiwan By Russell Hsiao
(China Brief, Jamestown Foundation, Feb. 18, 2010) As the opposition-DPP gains momentum, the Chinese leadership is also stepping up efforts to establish multiple platforms to further integrate the two sides of the Taiwan Strait.

Pros, Cons of a Cross-Strait ECFA By Lin Wuu-long
(Taipei Times, Dec. 27, 2009) The Ma administration’s push for an ECFA is pragmatic. However, it has not alleviated growing concerns over Taiwan’s increasing economic dependence on China or over Chinese efforts to use economic measures to unify with Taiwan under Beijing’s “one China” policy.

Over Protest, Taiwan Moves toward Free Trade with China By Jane Richards (Washington Post, Dec. 23, 2009) Taiwan and China signed a series of business accords, bringing them closer to economic integration amid vociferous protests here from critics who fear that the move will eventually lead to unification with the Chinese mainland.

Taiwan Expects China Pact to Improve Competitiveness By Tim Culpan and Chinmei Sung (Bloomberg, Dec. 15, 2009) Taiwan and China last month signed memoranda on financial- industry cooperation and next month will start negotiating an ECFA. The government will begin studying this month whether to ease restrictions on LCD investments.

Taiwan’s Economy: Recovery with Chinese Characteristics By Merritt T. Cooke (Brookings, November, 2009) ECFA reflects strategic recognition of the fact that traditional sectors of Taiwan’s economy stand to gain from the degree of integration with the world that the technology sector has long enjoyed.

ECFA Slim Boost to GDP, Tool for Unification: Experts By William Lowther (Taipei Times, Nov. 19, 2009) A new study by US economist Daniel Rosen forecasts that a proposed ECFA with China would increase Taiwan’s GDP by 4.5 percent over the next 10 years, but also cautioned that China’s motivation for signing the pact was solely concerned with unification.

Taiwan’s Economy Needs More Than Cooperation with China By Derek Scissors (WebMemo #2691, Heritage Foundation, Nov. 9, 2009) Cross-straits liberalization is valuable, but it is only one arrow in the quiver. More needs to be done to bolster Taiwan's economic future, and America can help.

ECFA Contingency Plan Imperative
(Editorial, Taipei Times, Aug. 2, 2009) A responsible government would introduce an emergency aid program for vulnerable segments before the ratification of any cross-strait trade pact.

A Rule of Thumb May Be a Better Guide on ECFA
(Editorial, China Post, Aug. 2, 2009) The ordinary people just need to know whether it is truly needed to prevent their homeland from being marginalized in an emerging free trade zone in Asia where the People's Republic of China dominates.

Why An ECFA Referendum Is Key By Tung Chen-yuan
(Taipei Times, Jun. 11, 2009) As the government pushes for cross-strait talks on an ECFA, greater confrontation between the ruling and opposition camps will emerge. A referendum resolves this issue at the lowest social cost. It would also strengthen the legitimacy of the ECFA policy.

WTO Needs to Know about ECFA By Cho Hui-wan
(Taipei Times, Jun. 1, 2009) An ECFA should be an FTA interim agreement and has to be reported to the WTO. If the government is not planning to do so, then the ECFA needs to include a clause stipulating that China is glad to see Taiwan, as a WTO member, signing FTAs with other members.

Cross-Strait Matrix: The Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement By Terry Cooke (China Brief, Jamestown Foundation, May 27, 2009) The ECFA appears to represent a recognition in both Taipei and Beijing that they need to work together to co-manage the impact of the global economic crisis.

TVBS Poll on ECFA and National Identity
(TVBS Public Opinion Pall Center, Mar. 13, 2009) A poll conducted by TVBS on Taiwanese people’s opinion on ECFA with China and national identity.

CECA Comes with Big Hidden Costs By Tsai Ing-Wen
(Taipei Times, Mar. 1, 2009) The signing of CECA would not only affect issues such as Taiwanese sovereignty and economic autonomy, but also affect the lives of ordinary Taiwanese. It is simplistic to argue that the DPP opposes the CECA merely on ideological grounds.

Exclusive Ma Ying-jeou Interview: Nothing to Fear from CECA with Beijing: Ma (Taipei Times, Feb. 20, 2009) The government’s cross-strait policies have prompted concerns over the potential impact on Taiwan’s sovereignty. In an interview, President Ma responded to his critics.

Survey on Taiwanese People’s Attitude toward Economic Agreements with China and Cross-strait Exchanges (GVSRC, Nov. 10, 2008) 47.4% think the four agreements signed by SEF and ARATS in early November are beneficial to Taiwan.