TAIWAN BUSINESS LEADER IN NANJING SEES PROGRESS IN

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 SHANGHAI 000206 SIPDIS TREASURY FOR OASIA - DOHNER, HAARSAGER, WINSHIP USDOC FOR ITA MAC DAS KASOFF, MELCHER, SZYMANSKI NSC FOR LOI AIT TAIPEI PLEASE HOLD FOR AIT KAOHSIUNG E.O. 12958: DECL: 5/5/2034 TAGS: PREL PGOV ETRD EAIR EFIN CH TW SUBJECT: TAIWAN BUSINESS LEADER IN NANJING SEES PROGRESS IN CROSS-STRAIT ECONOMIC NORMALIZATION, BUT LONG ROAD AHEAD REF: A) SHANGHAI 85; B) SHANGHAI 200; C) TAIPEI 518; D) TAIPEI 514; E) BEIJING 1174; F) SHANGHAI 26 CLASSIFIED BY: Simon Schuchat, Deputy Principal Officer, U.S. Consulate, Shanghai, U.S. Department of State. REASON: 1.4 (b),(d) ¶1. (C) Summary: The recent SEF-ARATS talks in Nanjing are part of the process of "normalizing" cross-Strait economic relations, said a key Taiwan business leader in Nanjing. Though the three agreements are generally "useful" and may yield concrete economic benefits in the long-run, the talks were significant mainly for regularizing cross-Strait dialogue. The talks laid out a general framework for financial cooperation, but there are still many details to be worked out regarding currency convertibility and Taiwan banks' ability to issue RMB loans in the Mainland. Taiwan needs to develop its infrastructure to handle the growing number of Mainland tourists. Our interlocutor and SEF Chairman Chiang Pin-kung discussed the possibility of setting up an SEF office in East China. There will be little benefit to Ma assuming the KMT chairmanship, said our interlocutor. End summary. ¶2. (SBU) On May 4, DPO and Poloff spoke with Hai Zhongtian, a Taiwan business leader based in Nanjing and Shanghai, about the recent SEF-ARATS talks held in Nanjing April 25-26. Hai is Vice Chairman of the Nanjing branch of the Taiwan Compatriot Investment Enterprises Association (Taixiehui),a trade association with branches in major cities across mainland China representing the interests of Taiwan enterprises. Hai is also a KMT Central Committee member, BMW dealer, and Chief Representative of Lian Qiang International (a Taiwan IT and telecommunications equipment firm with 40 branches across the Mainland). Hai is an influential figure in KMT circles and the Taiwan business community in East China. We met in Hai's Shanghai office of Lian Qiang International. Part of Cross-Strait Normalization Process -------------- ¶3. (C) Hai sees the recent talks in Nanjing as part of the process of "normalizing" cross-Strait economic relations. Though the three agreements are generally "useful" and may yield concrete economic benefits in the long-run, the talks were significant mainly for regularizing the process of cross-Strait dialogue. The two sides also made a concerted effort to focus on economic matters, thereby minimizing the public backlash in Taiwan. It will take another few years before both sides are ready to discuss more sensitive political issues, said Hai. Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou has benefited from these talks, as people in Taiwan partly attribute the recent rise in the Taiwan stock market to warming economic ties with the Mainland, according to Hai. Financial Agreement: Many Questions Still Remain -------------- -------------- ¶4. (C) Hai believes the centerpiece of the Nanjing talks was the agreement on financial cooperation. The talks were successful in laying out a general framework, he said, but beneath the surface, "there are still many problems." The details on currency exchange, Taiwan banks' ability to issue RMB loans in the Mainland, and the treatment of collateral on both sides of the Strait still need to be worked out. (Note: See Ref A for more on Taiwan firms' complaints about securing RMB financing in the Mainland. End note.) Mainland banks do not want to set up branches in Taiwan yet because of the currency convertibility issue, said Hai. Taiwan financial firms, fearful of competition from much bigger Mainland banks, also do not want Mainland banks to enter the Taiwan market, a factor which Taiwan regulators will have to consider when working out the details of this agreement. ¶5. (C) Hai added that the true level of Taiwan investment in the Mainland is not very clear, as many Taiwan entrepreneurs do not report their business activities in the Mainland because they violate either Mainland or Taiwan regulations. Although Taiwan authorities want Taiwan firms in the Mainland to reinvest in Taiwan, this is highly unlikely to happen because Taiwan SHANGHAI 00000206 002 OF 002 firms do not see much economic benefit in redirecting their assets back to the island, said Hai. However, he thinks details on the agreement allowing Mainland investment to Taiwan will be worked out relatively quickly, as Taiwan desperately needs the Mainland's capital. Direct Flights: Taiwan Needs to Develop Its Capacity -------------- -------------- ¶6. (C) Hai echoed complaints from other East China interlocutors about the lack of adequate infrastructure in Taiwan to receive large numbers of Mainland visitors. (Ref B.) Although the number of direct flights will increase from 108 to 270 per week, Taiwan has the capacity to properly accommodate only 3000-3500 Mainland tourists a day, argued Hai. The cost for tour groups to Taiwan may decrease with an increase in volume, but this will lead to a decline in quality as travel agencies cut costs by directing groups to second-rate hotels amid limited options. Mainland firms should invest in and develop Taiwan's hotel and transportation infrastructure, suggested Hai. Regarding the third agreement on anti-crime cooperation, Hai called it a positive development for cross-Strait relations, but said it will not have a significant impact on Taiwan enterprises in the Mainland. Setting Up SEF Office in East China? -------------- ¶7. (C) Hai said he accompanied SEF Chairman Chiang Pin-kung during Chiang's recent visit to Nanjing and Shanghai. During a private exchange with Chiang, according to Hai, the two discussed the idea of setting up an SEF office in East China. Hai said he offered to rent space in the Lian Qiang building in Shanghai to SEF for one RMB a year in what he termed his personal contribution to the improvement of cross-Strait relations. He did not disclose Chiang's reaction to his offer, but speculated that this would not happen until next year at the earliest. Preparing for Wu's Visit, Views on Ma -------------- ¶8. (C) Hai said he will return to Nanjing in a few days to advise the Nanjing Government in its preparations for KMT Chairman Wu Po-hsiung's upcoming visit to Nanjing at the end of May. Hai called Wu a "warm" person and appears personally close to the KMT Chairman. Regarding speculation that Ma Ying-jeou will take over the KMT chairmanship after Wu's term expires, Hai said this would not be a good idea since Ma, concurrently serving as President, would not be able to travel to the Mainland to engage in cross-Strait talks. The KMT chairmanship would not provide much political benefit to Ma, added Hai, since it would not necessarily enhance his control over Taiwan's Legislative Yuan, which has become increasingly difficult to control since the switch to a single member constituency system. CAMP