Taichung (Taiwan), December 22: Taiwan and China inked today three trade accords as part of a fresh round of negotiations that have set the stage for a landmark partial free trade agreement, a pact promising to further lash together their economies despite a 60-year rivalry.
Taiwan’s top envoy to China Chiang Pin-kung and his Chinese counterpart Chen Yunlin signed the agreements in a ceremony in the west coast city known for its grandiose KTV parlors, love motels and gangsters.
The inking of the mostly minor trade agreements — namely, accords on cooperation on fishing labour; agricultural quarantine inspection; and industrial product standards, inspection and certification — followed two days of talks marking the fourth round of trade negotiations since Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou took office last year.
–Agencies