The opposition Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP's) push for a referendum on the government's proposal to sign an economic cooperation framework agreement (ECFA) with China is tantamount to 'carrying coals to Newcastle,' an official said Wednesday. 'The DPP's campaign for an ECFA referendum is pointless and superfluous because if the agreement is signed, it will be referred to the Legislative Yuan for screening, ' said Vice Minister of Economic Affairs John C.C. Deng. The pro-independence DPP filed an application with the Central Election Commission (CEC) July 20 for the government to put the proposed ECFA with China to a referendum. The DPP's appeal is now awaiting approval by a CEC screening committee before it could progress to the next stage of obtaining a required ratio of public signatures. Addressing a weekly meeting of the ruling Kuomintang's (KMT's) decision-making Central Standing Committee on the ECFA proposal, Deng said the DPP's referendum initiative is a waste of time and social resources because it would only spur yet another round of referendums. Acknowledging that some people are still wary about the possible negative impact of a Taiwan-China ECFA on the local economy, Deng said the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) will strengthen communications with various social sectors to seek their support for the planned cross-strait trade pact. 'We will try even harder to help the public understand that a cross-strait ECFA will help improve local job market prospects and will be beneficial to Taiwan's overall international relations,' Deng said. If Taiwan fails to strike an ECFA deal with China, Taiwan would be further marginalized when the 'ASEAN plus 1' trade bloc -- comprised of China and ASEAN member states -- becomes a reality Jan. 1, Deng warned. According to Deng, Taiwan's gross domestic product (GDP) could drop by an estimated 0.176 percent if the two sides fail to sign an ECFA by then. Such a grim scenario could also take a toll on Taiwan's annual exports, imports and trade surplus, driving them down by 0.421 percent, 0.601 percent and US$180 million, respectively, Deng said. However, if the ECFA is signed, Taiwan's employed population could increase by 257,000 to 263,000, he added. KMT spokesman Lee Chien-jung said after the meeting that the KMT will launch a publicity campaign to help local people better understand the gist and advantages of a cross-strait EFCA and to enlist their support for the initiative. 