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Cross-Straits Trade, Economic Links Beneficial to Both Sides
The relationship between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan should center around trade and economic co-operation at this time, according to the director of the China Center for Economic Research at Beijing University.
"Economic co-operation can then propel co-operation in other sectors,'' said Justin Yifu Lin.
Lin, of Taiwanese origin, is an adviser for Premier Zhu Rongji's financial policies and a professor at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.
At the Asia Society 11th Corporate Conference, which winds up Friday in Shanghai, Lin said the Chinese mainland's economy can also benefit from the experience of Taiwan industries.
"Taiwan, as compared with South Korea which has a very similar economic model, stood up against financial crises while the latter suffered a lot,'' he said. "Such experience is beneficial to the cities in the Chinese mainland.''
As for Taiwan businesses that are worried over the risks of doing business in the Chinese mainland after Chen Shui-bian won the "election'' in Taiwan, he said, "I believe most Taiwan business people are not for independence.
"So long as they aren't, the Chinese Government encourages them to continue to develop their businesses in the mainland. There will be little to worry about.''
Lin also commented on the relationship between Hong Kong and Shanghai.
Hong Kong has already become one of the financial centres in the world, and "in this respect, Hong Kong has exceeded Shanghai.
"But Shanghai has its own advantages,'' he said.
It is historically endowed with good industrial conditions, which Hong Kong lacks, he added.
Shanghai also is the centre for the Yangtze River Delta Region.
"If positioned well, I am confident that Shanghai can prosper as well as Hong Kong,'' he said.
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