KEELUNG (TVBS News) — Presidential candidate Ko Wen-je called on Tuesday (June 20) for the resumption of cross-strait exchanges and the reopening of negotiations on the Cross-Strait Service Trade Agreement (CSSTA).
Speaking to the media, the Taiwan People's Party (TPP) chairman emphasized the importance of establishing a legal foundation for cross-strait interactions. He also criticized the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) for its lack of action in addressing cross-strait business issues.
Ko pointed out that despite being in power for seven years, the DPP has not passed the Cross-Strait Supervision Act. He added, "There are no laws that the DPP cannot pass, only laws that the DPP does not want to pass," urging the DPP to enact the legislation promptly.
In his national policy white paper released in May, Ko emphasized the need to restore the meeting mechanism between the Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) and the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS) and reopen negotiations on the CSSTA.
When asked about concerns that the CSSTA might harm Taiwan's economy and lead to a second Sunflower Student Movement, Ko stressed the necessity of cross-strait interactions and the importance of having a legal framework in place.
Ko's remarks on the CSSTA have sparked speculation among DPP legislators, who suspect he may be making these statements solely to win over KMT supporters. In response, Ko reiterated the need for a legal framework to be in place and criticized the DPP for their tendency to shift blame rather than prioritize crucial matters.