Ma urges cooperation between both camps馬兩個陣營之間敦促合作

By Adam Tyrsett Kuo ,The China Post
July 29, 2014, 12:01 am TWN

Differences of opinion are a staple of democratic societies, and it is these differences of opinion that indicate the deep concern different sectors of society have with regard to Taiwan's prospects, the president said.
The Cross-Strait Trade in Services Agreement (兩岸服務貿易協定) has led to a lot of debate, a fact that highlights the diversity and vibrancy of civic consciousness in Taiwan, the president said.

TAIPEI, Taiwan -- On the final day of the National Conference on Economic and Trade Affairs (經貿國是會議), President Ma Ying-jeou underscored the need for the ruling party and the opposition to work together for the sake of Taiwan's economic future.

In the face of fierce international competition, Taiwan cannot slacken its pace and the nation needs to find a way to reach a consensus and use that as a force for progress, which is why the National Conference on Economic and Trade Affairs was held, the president explained.

The president expressed a “strong hope” for the ruling party and the opposition to set aside their differences, work together with the people's happiness in mind and find feasible measures to boost the nation's economy.

The bargaining chips that Taiwan holds are limited, and there is no room for political strife or time for indecision, the president said.

Taiwan will be sidelined if it does not move forward, the president stressed, adding that his comments are not fear mongering but a description of reality.

China-Korea FTA, Cross-strait Service Trade Pact

Mainland China and South Korea are set to complete negotiations over a free trade agreement (FTA) by year-end, the president said. “Frankly speaking, time is no longer on our side.”

Taiwan cannot stop mainland China and South Korea from signing an FTA, but through solidarity, pragmatic structural adjustments and widened participation in the global community, the nation can minimize the impact of the mainland China-South Korea FTA and catch up gradually, the president said.

According to the latest survey released by the Mainland Affairs Council, 63 percent of the nation supports passing the cross-strait agreement supervisory act, and according to the National Development Council's poll, those who are in favor of the service trade agreement now exceed those who are against it, the president said.

Liberalization and globalization will affect Taiwan, but Taiwan's response to these challenges ought not to be evasion but a willingness to face them head on, the president said.

The government needs to come up with complementary measures for industries that are likely to be affected, and it needs to review its tax and social welfare policies to minimize the impact, the president said.

The president added that he has instructed the executive branch to turn the various points of consensus reached during the meeting into action, and come up with a timetable and allocate the necessary budgets.

馬兩個陣營之間敦促合作

亞當Tyrsett國，中國郵政
2014年7月29日，上午12:01 TWN

台北，台灣 - 在全國會議上的經濟貿易辦事處（經貿國是會議）的最後一天，總統馬英九強調需要執政黨和反對黨攜手合作，為了台灣未來經濟發展。

海峽兩岸服務貿易協議（兩岸服務貿易協定），已經引起了不少爭論，這一事實突出了多樣性和公民意識的活力在台灣，總統說。

意見的分歧是民主社會的主食，它是認為這些差異，表明社會的深切關注不同行業有關於台灣的前景，總統說。

在激烈的國際競爭面前，台灣不能鬆懈步伐，國家需要找到一種方法來達成共識，並以此作為進步的力量，這就是為什麼舉行經濟貿易事務的全國會議，總統解釋。

總統表示了“強烈希望”為執政黨和反對派擱置分歧，與人民群眾的心中的幸福一起努力，找到可行的措施，以刺激該國經濟。

台灣認為，談判的籌碼是有限的，沒有空間的政治紛爭或時間猶豫不決，總統說。

台灣將缺陣，如果它不往前走，總統強調，並補充說他的言論沒有恐懼散播，但現實的描述。

中國 - 韓國自由貿易協定，兩岸服務貿易協定

中國大陸和韓國都設置完成了自由貿易協定（FTA）年底前談判，布什總統說。“老實說，時間不再是站在我們這一邊。”

台灣不能自簽訂自由貿易協定阻止中國大陸和韓國，但通過團結，務實的結構調整和全球社區拓寬參與，國家可以最大限度地減少中國大陸 - 韓國自由貿易協定的影響，並趕上逐漸，總統說。