3/25/2014
Department of International Affairs - Democratic Progressive Party
CALD Statement on the
Railroading of Taiwan’s Trade Pact with China
The Council of Asian
Liberals and Democrats (CALD) is extremely concerned with and alarmed by the
manner Taiwan’s trade pact with China was passed.
On March 17, the
Kuomintang (KMT) party decided to cut-short a vital deliberation process in the
Legislative Yuan concerning the controversial Cross Strait Services Trade
Agreement (CSSTA) that would open up trade in services between Taiwan and
China. As a result, a multi-sectoral coalition led by student groups occupied
the parliament on March 19 calling for Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou to hold
an inclusive citizens constitutional conference, for the legislature to reject
the CSSTA in lieu of a monitoring mechanism for cross-strait agreements, to
pass a monitoring mechanism for Cross-Strait Agreements in the current
legislative session, and for legislators from both parties to address the
people’s demands. On March 23, the riot police started a crackdown of the
protesters.
While the quest for
greater economic integration is beneficial, CALD believes it is vital and
necessary to respect parliamentary procedures and inclusive deliberations
before policies are enacted. Transparency and accountability are prerequisites
of a truly democratic government, and therefore any negotiation and
consultation done behind closed doors or with undue haste is a violation of
democratic principles.
CALD therefore condemns
actions of the KMT government that weaken democratic institutions and processes
and undermine the voice and rights of the people. CALD also calls for a
peaceful resolution of the crisis in Taiwan and implores the government to
implement maximum restraint in diffusing the tensions in the protest areas.
Finally, CALD supports
and reiterates the call of its member-party, the Democratic Progressive Party
of Taiwan (DPP), regarding the four principles that must be present in the
Cross Strait Services Trade Agreement: “equal opening, fair competition,
safeguard people’s livelihood and ensure national security.”
For the Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats:
Sam Rainsy J.R. Nereus Acosta
Chair Secretary General
- See more at:
http://cald.org/site/cald/?p=7533#sthash.NbkVEaig.dpuf
