Focus Taiwan
Date: 2016/12/24
By: Miao Tsung-han, Christie Chen and Romulo Huang

Taipei, Dec. 24 (CNA) Setting political preconditions for exchanges and cooperation between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait is not conducive to a normal and healthy development of cross-strait relations, the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) said on Saturday.

Commenting during a fair to promote tourism and agricultural products from eight Taiwanese cities and counties governed by the opposition Kuomintang (KMT)-led pan-blue camp that opened that day in Beijing, the MAC noted that the central government has always supported local governments and enterprises that conduct activities in China to promote their respective products and tourism.

“It is not appropriate either to set political preconditions or offer preferential treatment to different parties for cross-strait exchanges and cooperation,” the council said in a statement, adding that it should stick to the market mechanism, which will be helpful for the good of the people and for the healthy development of enterprises of the two sides of the strait.    [FULL  STORY]