Chinese mainland, Taiwan set date for second round of ECFA talks

The Chinese mainland and Taiwan will set the timetable for the second round talk of Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement or ECFA this month.

Taiwan's Economy Daily News reports that the 2 sides are scheduled to enter substantive discussion on the so-called early-harvest list, or propriety items for mutual market openings, hopefully in the first half of March. Despite the inevitable give and take, both sides are expected iron out their differences and reach an agreement, especially in view of the good-will gestures made by mainland leaders recently.

Premier Wen Jiabao remarked earlier that the mainland is willing to give benefits to Taiwan farmers during the ECFA talk. The remark echoed an earlier pledge made by President Hu Jintao in a tour of Fujian Province during the Chinese New Year.