09.12.2001
Taiwan-China discussing shipping arrangements

• Development: An academic seminar on cross-strait shipping ended yesterday in Shenzhen. The non-official seminar concluded that only shipping companies from Taiwan, the Mainland, Hong Kong and Macau be allowed to offer cross-strait services, based on China’s request.

• Analysis: From China’s viewpoint, the exclusion of international carriers would highlight that trade is taking place domestically, within one country. During the meetings Chinese officials also urged Taiwan to recognize the “One-China” principle.

• Primasia View: The meeting is yet another step towards closer links between the two sides. This seminar was the first held since 1997. Meetings on this issue began in 1991 but came to a halt following deterioration of bilateral links. The resolution will disappoint int’l carriers that had been urging Taiwan to free-up services to global participation.