Deputy Minister of the Mainland Affairs Council, Lin Chu-chia, has said that Taiwan must speed up its integration into the regional economy.
Speaking during an interview on Wednesday, Lin said that the rate at which countries around the world are signing free trade agreements has grown quickly.
Lin said that the number of free trade agreements involving East Asian countries grew from 5 in the year 2000 to 45 in the year 2010. He also said that with the recent conclusion of a free trade agreement between South Korea and Australia that number is only set to grow.
Lin said that Taiwan’s integration into the regional economy cannot slow down. However, he said that the stalled passage of the controversial trade in services agreement with China may present Taiwan with difficulties. He said that other countries may consider the impasse over whether to renegotiate the pact with China as a sign that Taiwan is not prepared to open its economy.
