President Tsai Ing-wen says the incentives that China offered to Taiwan recently are aimed at promoting its “one country, two systems” formula. Tsai was speaking Tuesday in the southern Pingtung County.
Tsai’s comments came a day after China introduced 26 incentives to “promote economic and cultural exchanges between the two sides across the Taiwan Strait.” That’s on top of the 31 other incentives it began offering last February.
China said the incentives allow Taiwanese people and Taiwanese businesses to enjoy the same treatment given to its citizens and the business sector.
President Tsai spoke on China’s political motives.
“I think the 31 measures introduced earlier and the 26 incentives unveiled now are part of China’s plan to [include] Taiwan in its ‘one country, two systems’ formula. Clearly, China has decided on the formula and is working hard to promote it. The incentives are to implement the formula in Taiwan," said Tsai.
Tsai also accused China of trying to use the incentives to influence Taiwan’s presidential elections, which is scheduled to take place on January 11.
Meanwhile, the opposition Kuomintang (KMT) spoke positively about the incentives offered by China and said they were “convenient and supportive.”
The KMT, which has long been considered China-friendly, urged the government to engage in dialogue with Beijing.
