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Taiwan Church News 3044 Edition June 28~July 4, 2010
PCT pastors oppose ECFA for Aborigines’ and farmers’ sake
Reported by Lin Yi-ying Written by Lydia Ma Photo by Lin Yi-ying
Many Aborigine pastors were present at the “Referendum on ECFA” march on June 26, 2010. PCTIndigenous Ministry Committee Program Secretary Rev. Omi Wilang emphasized that, if signing aneconomic cooperation framework agreement (ECFA) with China will devastate many Taiwanese industries, then, many Aborigines who work as manual laborers can expect their livelihoods to be severely threatened as well.
During an interview, Omi Wilang highlighted Aborigine people’s worries about ECFA. He was joined by West Amis Presbytery’s Rev. Kino Lafin who pointed out that signing an ECFA would make Aborigines’ lives even harder than before because they would be further marginalized.
Kino Lafin underscored that ECFA would allow Chinese produce to flood Taiwan’s market, which would harm Aborigines who make a living by selling their crops.
He added that Aborigines used to grow and sell fresh produces such as mushrooms, tremellas, andflammulinas. But when Chinese imports of these produces were allowed in Taiwan, Aborigines produces were no longer able to compete in price and as result lost their market to Chinese businesses.
If such a scenario took place long before an ECFA was signed, one can only imagine how Aborigines will be devastated once ECFA becomes a fait accompli. Kino Lafin listed as example that Aborigines usually sell their peaches for approximately NT$120 to NT$130 per 600 gram, but peaches from China can average as low as NT$30 to NT$40 per 600 gram.
Such grave concerns are what prompted many members from Tainan Presbytery to rent a bus and travel to Taipei to take part in this march and voice their displeasure. Many PCT pastors from local churches in Taipei joined them at this march too.
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