Focus Taiwan
Date: 2020/01/01
By: Tsai Peng-min, Joe Yeh and Frances Huang

Taipei, Jan. 1 (CNA) Business groups raised concerns Wednesday over possible chilling effects on cross-Taiwan Strait economic exchanges as a result of the newly passed Anti-infiltration Act, saying the law could have an adverse impact on such exchanges.

Lai Cheng-yi (賴正鎰), chairman of the General Chamber of Commerce of the Republic of China, said China is one of the most important markets for many Taiwanese exporters, and he expressed concern that Taiwanese enterprises that have regular exchanges with their Chinese counterparts will refrain from cross-strait exchanges out of fear of breaking the law, which will hinder their business.

The Legislative Yuan, controlled by the pro-independence ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), passed the Act Tuesday despite protests from opposition lawmakers who said it could be used to suppress those who hold different political views to the government.

The China-friendly opposition Kuomintang (KMT) has expressed concern that the bill could be used by the government to level unsubstantiated accusations, posing a direct threat to the 2 million Taiwanese who work and study in China.    [FULL  STORY]