China and Taiwan sign historic trade agreement

China and Taiwan on Tuesday signed an historic trade agreement will strengthen economic ties between the mainland and the island, separated for 60 years, and would bring them politically.

The economic cooperation framework agreement (TDCA), signed in Chongqing (southwest China), could unlock the massive business opportunities between the two parties is currently very limited, and is the fruit of two years of negotiations.

"This signing marks a turning point in economic relations between the two parties. It is also a major step forward for both the general trend in regional economic integration and globalization", said Taiwan's chief negotiator, Chiang Pin-kung .
The ACCE only talks about trade and customs duties, but some in Taiwan, especially the opposition, fear for progress towards a dangerous political era on the island and pave the way for reunification.

"This could make the island a step closer to the continent (...) To the extent that Taipei will become more dependent economically, their political choices are reduced," he said Yang Yung-ming, a political science specialist at the University Taipei's Soochow.

On Saturday, tens of thousands of people marched in the streets of Taipei to protest against this agreement, convened by the Democratic Progressive Party (independence), and defend democracy have been economically prosperous.

Taiwan is de facto independent since the arrival of the Communists to power in Beijing in 1949, although China believes that this island belongs to them and intends to reintegrate in the mother country, if necessary using force.

Bilateral relations have improved considerably since 2008, when Ma Ying-jeou, favorable to a rapprochement with Beijing, was elected president of Taiwan.

In late 2008, the two parties had already taken a historic step in opening its first direct flight connections daily.

"The tension of the past became peace. The confrontation turned into cooperation," he said on Monday Chiang Pin-kung.

The ACCE provides preferential customs duties for 539 Taiwanese products, from petrochemicals to automotive parts, which represent 16% of the island's exports to mainland China.

Similar measures shall apply to 267 Chinese products.