TONING IT DOWN:The DPP’s new proposal is more moderate than previous drafts, as it does not use the word ‘treaty’ which implies country-to-country relations

Taipei Times
Date: Mar 31, 2016
By: Staff writer, with CNA

The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) caucus is likely to put forward a draft bill aimed at monitoring agreements between Taiwan and China, a meeting of party officials and party members said on Tuesday.

“We will not change the title of the bill, retaining the term ‘cross-strait.’ The bill will emphasize the effectiveness of assessing in advance any negotiations with China over bilateral agreements,” DPP Policy Committee deputy executive director Shih Ke-he (施克和) said.

This indicates a more “moderate” version compared with previous DPP proposals that used the word “treaties” — implying that Taiwan and China are two separate countries — a stance that was criticized for not being in accord with the Constitution.

The DPP caucus plans to put the finishing touches to its latest draft tomorrow and if all goes to plan the bill would be proposed in the legislature next week, Shih said.

With the DPP holding a majority in the legislature, the bill is likely to pass.      [FULL  STORY]