By Martin Banks - 30th January 2012
The key obstacle, as ever, is China
Edward McMillan-Scott
Senior MEP Edward McMillan-Scott has welcomed the outcome of Taiwan's recent presidential elections, saying they could pave the way for better ties with mainland China.
His comments come after Taiwanese president Ma Ying-jeou won a second term in a close vote.
Ma's victory came after a close-fought race that drew the attention of both Beijing and Washington because of its potential to shift cross-strait relations.
China considers Taiwan part of its territory but Ma has increased economic ties with Beijing and touted the opportunities they offer to voters. He won 51.6 per cent of the vote.
Ma's win renewed his mandate to press ahead with the economic opening to China, but analysts say the vote underlined deep suspicions among voters toward China, which will complicate Ma's efforts to establish lasting rapprochement with Beijing in his second term.
His Kuomintang party emerged with a smaller majority, a sign that he has lost some public backing over worries about a slowing economy and growing wealth disparity.
Commenting on the results, McMillan-Scott, a vice-president of parliament, said, "Taiwan's presidential election saw the incumbent president Ma win a second term with only 51.6 per cent of the vote, serving to show that Taiwan is at an important crossroads."
McMillan-Scott, a UK ALDE member, is responsible for democracy and human rights in parliament and describes himself as a long-time friend of Taiwan.
He added, "Whereas polls in 2010 suggested that 88 per cent of Taiwanese preferred the status quo of cross-strait relations, it was also the year that the US had to provide arms to help them fend off a possible missile attack from China.
"While there is no doubt in my mind that president Ma is striving for better ties with mainland China in the best interests of Taiwan, I would advise caution.
China has at no point appeared willing to negotiate on the Taiwan issue, and I believe that the reluctance of nearly half of the population to vote for president Ma is a reflection of that."
McMillan-Scott, recently re-elected as vice-president for a fourth term, hopes that the Taiwanese election will give new life to efforts to secure an EU-Taiwan Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
"The EU is currently negotiating a FTA with ASEAN countries, which would severely threaten Taiwan's economic power. The key obstacle, as ever, is China: the EU officially recognises Taiwan as an economic entity, and we must not bow down to 'One China' arguments on this issue", said McMillan-Scott.
Elsewhere, Catherine Ashton, the EU high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, also welcomed the elections and reiterated the EU's support for democratic values.
