Experts said that Taiwan's property purchase amendment, which allows one Chinese mainlander to buy one property in Taiwan, serves to ease cross-Straits ties, following concerns from the island that the mainland may unify Taiwan through its real estate market.
Taiwan authorities are reviewing an amendment on limiting the ability of Chinese mainlanders to purchase property on the island. The restrictions include allowing a mainlander to buy one property and banning those linked to the Community Party of China, the mainland central government and military. The amendment is expected to be introduced in June, Taiwan-based news site chinatimes.com reported Tuesday.
The amendment angered some Taiwanese netizens, as they believe that the amendment relaxed regulations on mainlanders. They fear that the mainland's large population could gobble up Taiwan's real estate market and unify Taiwan.
A recent poll conducted by Taiwan news portal udn.com showed that nearly 80 percent of the respondents are against relaxing the rules.
Experts consider Taiwanese netizens' concerns absurd. "Mainlanders who buy properties in Taiwan is normal cross-Straits trade, and there is no need to turn it into a political issue," Chang Ya-chung, an international relations professor at National Taiwan University, told the Global Times Wednesday.
Chan Yi-Hsin, an expert at Tamkang University in New Taipei City, said that mainland investments in Taiwan could enhance feelings between mainlanders and Taiwanese, and would be conducive to the warming up of cross-Straits ties.
Mainland capital flowing into Taiwan also benefits Taiwan's declining economy, Chang said.
Data from Taiwan authorities shows that mainlanders have bought property on the island worth NT$5.8 billion ($192 million) since 2012, when the island opened its property market to the mainland, the chinatimes.com reported.
