Editorial: Chen Yunlin, a Trojan envoy

The Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) has applied for permission for China's Taiwan Affairs Office Director Chen Yunlin (陳雲林) to attend its "cross-strait agricultural cooperation" forum next month in Taipei.

The KMT has accused the Mainland Affairs Council of obstructing Chen's visit, while council officials say the government has been dealing with the issue according to the law, and that it has not attempted to block Chen from visiting.

According to a report by China's state-run Xinhua news agency last Tuesday, China appealed to Taiwan to let Chen visit thus: "The mainland hoped the Taiwan authorities would permit Chen's delegation to attend the forum" on farm trade in October, Xinhua said, citing a spokesman for the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait (ARATS).

China may seem eager to have its top official for Taiwan affairs come here, but ARATS is refusing to respond to correspondence on the matter from its Taiwanese counterpart, the Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF).

The SEF has sent letters to China three times -- the latest was issued last Friday -- without a peep.

Reports from China have said that if ARATS responds to the SEF, it might mislead outsiders into thinking that cross-strait relations are thawing.

If China does not want cross-strait relations to thaw, then what possible purpose does Chen's visit serve other than to undermine the government and, like a Trojan horse, set up a platform for further corrosion of security?

In April, the KMT held a joint cross-strait economic and trade forum with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in Beijing, at which China offered deals including the lowering of barriers for Taiwan-grown fruit, vegetables and other farm goods, the strengthening of cross-strait financial exchanges, allowing Taiwanese to apply for licenses to practice medicine in China and encouraging Taiwan's service sector to enter the Chinese market.

If China is so eager to "normalize, regularize and stabilize cross-strait economic relations," as Chen himself was quoted as saying during the KMT-CCP forum, then why does Beijing not immediately engage in dialogue with Taipei?

Few oppose cross-strait economic exchanges and trade in principle. But no one should harbor any illusions over the grave potential for sabotage that underlies the liberalization of cross-strait ties.

If the Mainland Affairs Council approves Chen's application, then he will be the most senior Chinese official to visit Taiwan in years.

Indeed, Chen is very welcome to come here and get a taste of what his country lacks. He will be even more welcome if he expresses genuine goodwill.

Overall, however, China continues to treat Taiwan to acts of provocation. It bypasses elected officials, denies the legitimacy of the Democratic Progressive Party administration and holds the democratic mechanism in contempt by talking only with opposition parties.

If Chen's visit is going to be just another cog in the Chinese machinery of manipulation and veiled threats, then he is not welcome. If his appearance at the KMT's forum next month is going to be just another transparent attack on the national interest under the ruse of "benefiting Taiwan's farmers," then he should forget about ever coming here -- so long as this nation harbors any self-respect.