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Taiwan economic minister will meet China's Jiang
2001-05-15
BEIJING - The most senior official in Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian's government to visit China said he would meet Chinese President Jiang Zemin on Tuesday, but declined to say if he would deliver a special message. Chen Po-chih, chairman of Taiwan's Council for Economic Planning and Development, said on Monday he would meet Jiang with a group of delegates to a two-day Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting on personnel, Reuters reported. Chen Po-chih is the first member of a Taiwan cabinet to visit China since 1995 and the highest ranking official from the new administration of Chen Shui-bian, who swept to power after presidential elections in March last year. Jiang would meet delegates to the meeting on Tuesday morning before speaking at the opening ceremony, organisers said. Chen confirmed he would meet Jiang on Tuesday. Asked what he would tell the Chinese leader, Chen said: "APEC is a place to express goodwill and sincerity. We will express to all members the wish to be friends and cooperate." Beijing is deeply suspicious of Chen Shui-bian over his past public support for Taiwan independence. China has refused to deal with his government and his Democratic Progressive Party. Instead, it has wooed the opposition Nationalist Party. Beijing rolled out the red carpet last week for Vincent Siew, a former Taiwan Nationalist Party premier touting economic integration. Chinese Vice Premier Qian Qichen met Siew last Friday for what Siew called "comprehensive" talks. Chen, who arrived on Sunday, said he had so far not had the opportunity to meet any Chinese officials outside of the framework of the APEC meeting. Chen and his delegation held bilateral talks with APEC members on Monday and visited Taiwan companies investing in mainland China. Chen's agency is responsible for reviewing Taipei's "no haste, be patient" investment policy towards China. Under current rules, Taiwan firms are barred from investing in strategic sectors such as semiconductors, petrochemicals and infrastructure, with a US$50 million upward limit on each project. Taiwan's Council for Economic Planning and Development will complete a review of the policy by the end of May and there has been speculation the island would liberalise its stance.
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