Taiwan-Political Internal
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Several hundred opponents of a trade agreement that would allow Taiwanese and Chinese service sector companies — in businesses ranging from insurance to beauty parlors — to set up branches or shops in the other's territory, continue to protest in Taiwan's Legislature. Beijing is in favour of the agreement, which opponents say will cost tens of thousands of Taiwanese jobs and help China move forward with its long-range objective of bringing Taiwan under its control. The trade agreement was signed by both sides last June but delaying tactics by the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and President Ma Ying-jeou's continuing differences with the Speaker, who is a member of his own party, have so far delayed its ratification. Once it is placed before the Legislature though, its ratification would seem to be a foregone conclusion as Nationalists control 65 seats in the 113-seat legislature. |