Concluding a round-the-island walk to promote their cause, referendum activists claimed Saturday that mainstream opinion wants a proposed cross-Taiwan Strait economic cooperation framework agreement (ECFA) be put to a national referendum. Meanwhile, the government is stepping up publicity efforts to help the public better understand the gist of the deal and the challenges the country could face without such an all-encompassing trade accord with China.

The following is a digest of some local media reports on the issue:

Liberty Times: A 49-day, round-the-island walk to call for “the people to decide on cross-strait agreements” ended Saturday at its starting point — Lungshan Temple in Taipei City.

Chen Li-kuei, convener of the journey initiated by former opposition Democratic Progressive Party Chairman Lin Yi-hsiung, read a statement saying that putting a proposed economic cooperation framework agreement (ECFA) with China to a national referendum has become mainstream opinion.

The statement blasted the administration of President Ma Ying-jeou for being arrogant, saying that “mounting public opposition to the signing of the ECFA and continued slipping of the approval rating of the Ma administration has not persuaded it to be on guard and to reflect humbly.” (Dec. 27, 2009)

United Daily News: Ma recently visited a village chief in southern Taiwan to speak on issues farmers are most concerned about, including the ECFA.

Huang Hsien-yao, chief of Jhengbei village in Minsyong township, Chiayi County, said he told Ma that farmers will not oppose the ECFA as long as their livelihoods are protected.

Ma, who spoke mostly in Taiwanese throughout the nearly two-hour visit, pointed out that he has not opened one single Chinese agricultural product to Taiwan since his inauguration and that he “sells Taiwan fruit instead of selling out Taiwan, ” contrary to claims by some underground radio stations in the south.

The upcoming ECFA talks with China will not touch upon issues concerning further liberalization of Taiwan’s market to agricultural products from China, Ma said. (Dec. 27, 2009) (By Lilian Wu)

More Info: http://www.taiwanheadlines.gov.tw/ct.asp?xItem=175178&CtNode=39