President Ma Ying-jeou hosted a news conference Tuesday to discuss the importance of signing an economic cooperation framework agreement (ECFA) with China. While he managed to give a clear account of the major principles for striking such a deal with Beijing, he still failed to clarify suspicions on certain critical political, economic and implementation issues. Politically, the public wants to know whether signing the ECFA would mean an acquiescence to Beijing's 'one China' principle or lead to a downgrading of Taiwan's sovereign status. Ma did answer this question frankly and straightforwardly, saying the agreement will not include any political rhetoric or touch on the sensitive 'one China' issue. However, Ma failed to explain why China would no longer stonewall Taiwan's efforts to negotiate free trade agreements with other countries once the ECFA is signed, as he claimed. He also did not address questions on how his administration will negotiate with China to prevent a further market opening to China-grown agricultural products. Equally disappointing was his failure to give convincing explanations of his opposition to the proposal that the Legislative Yuan set up a special task force to oversee cross-strait engagements, including ECFA negotiations. Ma apparently has learned a lesson from the U.S. beef import controversy and tried to increase transparency on a major policy issue like ECFA. He still failed, however, to say enough to convince a skeptical public. (Feb. 10, 2010) 