Mediator: Chris Bisogni, China Law & Practice (CB)

Participants:


Victor Chang, Chen & Lin (VC)


Sherry Lin, Lee and Li (SL)


Jack Huang, Jones Day (JH)


Echo Yeh, Lexcel Partners (EY)


Lillian Chu, Tsar & Tsai (LC)


Jacqueline Fu, J & J (JF)

CB: How would you describe the business sentiment in Taiwan since the election?

VC: From my observation there are a lot of optimistic people and there is a positive feeling about the election, with the hope of better things to come.

SL: I would have to agree with Victor.

JH: I would also agree but with a touch of caution, I mean 8 years ago we were in a similar position with the election of President Chen, and with this came the promise of a new direction and opportunities were to present themselves. I recall at President Chen’s inauguration speech there was a positive feeling to his administration and we have seen since that things haven’t gone to plan. Now with Ma coming out with his margin, a lot of people have a lot of expectations and he is seen as the good guy, but whether or not he can deliver and turn the economy around, nobody knows. I think the three months after May 20 will be a key in determining just which way the mood and the economy will go.It will depend on his cabinet. China will give him a hand but I don’t think China will give him everything.