Economics minister holds press conference to dispel "five lies"

Economics Minister Chang Chia-juch held a press conference on Sunday to dispel what he said were some misconceptions of the protestors who are occupying Taiwan's legislature.

Chang said that the trade in services agreement was not, as the protestors said, "black box" legislation. That's how the protestors are describing what they say is a lack of transparency.

One of what Chang called "five lies" being spread by the protestors was: that the trade in services agreement will allow permanent residency or citizenship for people from China. He said that's not true.

Chang also said it's also not true that Chinese laborers will be allowed to come to Taiwan, that the agreement is unbalanced, and that it will have a major impact on Taiwan's small- and medium-sized enterprises.

The economics minister said that the people who are spreading lies are the ones who are truly hurting Taiwan. He admitted, though, that the government has a long way to go to improve dialogue about the agreement. However, he said, that did not mean people should oppose it for the sake of opposing it.