On May 24, Zhang Mingqing, spokesman of Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council expressed explicitly that promoting the cross-straits economic and trade exchange is China's persistent stand. No Taiwan investment will be influenced. But people should note one thing: China doesn't welcome those who make money in the Chinese mainland but support the "Taiwan Independence" when returning to Taiwan. Those he referred to are the so-called "Green" Taiwan Businessmen (Green is the color for the DPP and other "Taiwan Independence" institutions).
Taiwan businessmen are the motive force for Taiwan's economic growth over the past 10 yearsIn the Chinese Mainland, more than 30, 000 Taiwan enterprises have made investment in more than 60, 000 projects since 1987. The contract value hits USD 60 billion, of which 30 bln are actually in place. The investment accounts for 40 percent of the Taiwan's overall outward investment. During the past 20 years, Taiwan receives a surplus of USD 150 billion from trade with the Chinese Mainland, or over 80 percent of its overall surplus. The statistics from Taiwan's foreign exchange department show that the business volume has risen by 54.8 percent since the indirect remittance service from the Chinese Mainland is provided in 1993. By the end of 2002, the remittance from the Chinese Mainland to Taiwan amounted to a total of USD 557.23 billion.
The Taiwan businessmen play a very important role in the cross-straits economic and trade exchanges. They are not only the driving force for the Taiwan economic growth over the past ten years, but also the major channel for the continuous increase of Taiwan's foreign exchange. The Chinese Mainland has become an important base in the forming of their global placement. They use Taiwan as R&D center and production center of important component parts while the Chinese Mainland as assembly workshop. They usually receive orders in Taiwan and manufacture the products in the Chinese Mainland. By taking advantage of the relatively low price of land, workshop, labor, raw materials, and favorable policies, they are able to reap considerable profits.
In an interview, an official with the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council says, a great majority of the Taiwan businessmen are patriotic and they focus on economy. The Chinese Mainland welcomes them doing business and investment. They will continue to enjoy favorable policies. But a small number of businessmen who support "Taiwan Independence" with money earned from the Chinese Mainland do exist. The Chinese government has already said such businessmen are not welcomed.
The market in the Chinese Mainland has helped the continuous expansion of Chi Mei GroupPeople will think of Hsu Wen-Lung the first thing when talking of the "Green" Taiwan businessman. Hsu is regarded as a "Big-shot for Taiwan Independence" in the circle of Taiwan enterprises. His Chi Mei Group has amassed great fortune in the Chinese mainland. In the "Taiwan election" in 2000 and 2004, he gives full supports to Chen Shui Bian. Of the ten Taiwanese billionaires with over USD one billion on Forbes's list 2004, Hsu ranked the 6th. At present, the Chi Mei Group engages in two sectors: Petrochemicals and electronics.
In Taiwan's petrochemical industry, Hsu's Chi Mei Group is on a par with Taiwan Plastics Group of Wang Yongqing. The production of its key product, ABS (material for production of PC, home appliance and communication products) ranks No.1 in the world. Hsu is thus called "King of ABS in the world". Hsu admits that Chi Mei Group has no way to get today's scale without having invested in the Chinese mainland. At present, the group has factories in Guangdong Province and Zhenjiang, Jiangsu Province. It has planned to put up factories at Shanghai and Ningbo to sell electronic products.
Hsu has been openly supporting Lee Tunghui and Chen Shuibian in "Taiwan Independence" Even though benefited a lot from the vast market and low cost in the Chinese mainland, Hsu said, "The Chinese Mainland is in a way like Taiwan's economic colony. Investment in the Chinese Mainland has nothing to do with love for Taiwan. It is just a way for enterprises to survive." In his daily life, Hsu does not speak Mandarin; instead he likes to talk with others in Taiwan local twang or Japanese. During the reign of the Kuomintang, Hsu maintained very close relationship with Lee Tunghui, though he disliked contacting with officials. The common idea to pursue "Taiwan Independence" made them a bosom friend. Lee later invited him to serve as "State policy advisor".
Aside from supporting the political forces for "Taiwan Independence", Hsu feverishly publicizes his thoughts of "Taiwan Independence". He claims that "Zheng Chenggong seized the land of original Taiwanese habitants, he is just an aggressor." More shamelessly he defends the book "On Taiwan" written by Japanese by saying "The Taiwanese comfort women were not obliged. They had free wills in making the decision and had dignity." The saying aroused public indignation among the Taiwan people and he is thus condemned as "scum of the Chinese nation".
At the crucial moment for the "general election" of 2000, Hsu said explicitly that Chen Shuibian was the only one who can truly implement "Lee Tunghui's thoughts ". This helped Chen Shuibian in winning local Taiwanese votes. Chen Shuibian naturally "repays his kindness" after "being elected". He paid a visit to Hsu when returning to his hometown and later invited him as "presidential advisor".
For a long period of time, Hsu has been DPP's "financial provider behind the curtain". Hsu doesn't deny this title. On Dec 30, 2001, the "Taiwan Think-tank", a group with strong color of supporting Chen Shuibian was founded in Taipei. Hsu is the major sponsor to the organization. The think-tank is estimated to possess 60 million new Taiwan dollars. Hsu works hand in glove with Chen Shuibian in this year's "Taiwan general election". In the "March 19 gunshot accident", Chen Shuibian rushed to the Chi Mei Hospital after being shot because it is Hsu's premise. Closing the door, everything is easy to handle among people on the same side.
Knowing clearly what he does will do no good to the investment in the Chinese Mainland, Hsu retired from the position of Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Chi Mei Industrial Group. On May 12. The vice Chairman Liao Jinxiang took over his position. Aside from this, he is ready to leave the post as Chairman of Board of Directors of the Chi Mei Electronics Group after the forthcoming shareholders meeting on June 15. Though Chi Mei Group announced Hsu had intention to retire earlier, but wise people know at a glance that this is just a trick he played in order to evade troubles in the Chinese mainland. Hsu is still the boss of Chi Mei. In fact, the Taiwan businessmen who support "Taiwan Independence" often play some hidden tricks in order to make profits from the Chinese Mainland. Finding an agent for them is just a common trick they play.
Most Taiwan businessmen show understanding for the Chinese mainland's standMost Taiwan businessmen show their understanding for the Chinese mainland's stand. A businessman in Beijing says, "We talked about this matter. The Chinese mainland should do so. I allow you to make money in my territory but you do something against me. Who will permit such a thing? Businessmen ought to concentrate on money making, they should not involve in politics."
Some businessmen supporting one-China policy say the Chinese Mainland should have taken actions towards people like Hsu earlier. A businessman in catering industry in Shanghai says, "Making money in the Chinese Mainland, but supporting "Taiwan Independence" is just unreasonable." |
