Taiwan's top China negotiator tenders resignation

May 6, 2009, 6:45 GMT

   Taipei - Taiwan's top negotiator with China, Chiang Pin-kun, has offered his resignation for personal reasons, but was turned down by President Ma Ying-jeou on Wednesday.

   Chiang said he wanted to resign as secretary-general of the Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) already after the second dialogue meeting with China at the end of 2008, but tendered his resignation to Ma on Monday.

   'The three dialogues have produced nine pacts and one joint communique with China, so I have finished my job. I am old and want to spend time with my family,' he told parliament.

   Media reports said Chiang tendered his resignation because of job stress and a possible conflict of interest, as his son does business with China.

   In an interview with the cable TV channel ETTV Wednesday, Ma said that he has turned down Chiang's resignation.

   'I told him that he cannot resign at this moment, and should cope with pressure,' Ma said.

   China and Taiwan held a first dialogue meeting with China in 1993, and three more after Ma took office in May 2008. Chiang served as Taiwan's top negotiator in the last three dialogues which brought about the opening of air, sea, postal and tourism links between Taiwan and China.