Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) Minister Andrew Hsia says that Kuomintang Chairman Eric Chu has not been authorized to represent the government at an upcoming cross-strait forum.
Hsia said this means that Chu will only be able to discuss the China-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) on an unofficial basis while meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the forum.
"I wouldn’t mind if Chairman and New Taipei City Mayor Eric Chu just wants to exchange views [on the AIIB]. But without our approval, he does not have the qualifications or the authority to represent [the MAC] in discussions on the issue," said Hsia.
Meanwhile, Hsia said that his meeting with his Chinese counterpart should be taking place in the first half of the year. He said that the wording of a cross-strait taxation agreement has been completed, but still needs to undergo legislative review. Taiwan hopes that the agreement will be signed when Hsia meets with his Chinese counterpart.