BEIJING (AFX) - Beijing wants to open its markets to Taiwan in an arrangement similar to the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA) it struck with Hong Kong and Macau, the South China Morning Post reported, citing informed sources.
The Hong Kong-based newspaper said the move would be aimed at winning over public opinion on the island after the Lunar New Year charter flight arrangement and invitations for leaders of the island's opposition parties to visit the mainland.
The paper said it was part of an overall review of Beijing's cross-strait policy.
CEPA was implemented by Beijing in June 2003 to boost Hong Kong's ailing economy after SARS.
The paper said the success of CEPA in Hong Kong had prompted the leadership to try to extend it to Taiwan in a bid to reverse declining cross-straits relations.
It said Beijing might push the idea during the visits of Taiwanese opposition leaders Lien Chan, of the Kuomintang, and James Soong, of the People First Party.
bjburo@xinhuafinance.com
amj/wk
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The Hong Kong-based newspaper said the move would be aimed at winning over public opinion on the island after the Lunar New Year charter flight arrangement and invitations for leaders of the island's opposition parties to visit the mainland.
The paper said it was part of an overall review of Beijing's cross-strait policy.
CEPA was implemented by Beijing in June 2003 to boost Hong Kong's ailing economy after SARS.
The paper said the success of CEPA in Hong Kong had prompted the leadership to try to extend it to Taiwan in a bid to reverse declining cross-straits relations.
It said Beijing might push the idea during the visits of Taiwanese opposition leaders Lien Chan, of the Kuomintang, and James Soong, of the People First Party.
bjburo@xinhuafinance.com
amj/wk
For more information and to contact AFX: www.afxnews.com and www.afxpress.com
© 2005 AFX News
