While expressing satisfaction over today's launch of direct charter flights with China, President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) yesterday said he regretted that Beijing had overly politicized the situation.
Chen was speaking to the international press, including Palauan reporters, the Fiji Television Station and Kyodo News, on the second day of his state visit to Palau.
PHOTO: CNA
He said the agreement with China represented progress in cross-strait communication compared with the last two years, according to Government Information Office (GIO) Director-General Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍).
Chen regretted that Beijing required Hong Kong serve as detour airspace for the flights from China.
If Beijing had not let political concerns get in the way, Chen was quoted as saying, flights could have traveled via South Korean or Japanese airspace.
In Macau earlier this month, aviation representatives from Taipei and Beijing reached an agreement authorizing Taiwanese and Chinese planes to fly to each other's airports between today and Feb. 20 via Hong Kong airspace.
On the severing of ties on Thursday with Grenada, Chen had said "Taiwan will not engage in `dollar diplomacy' with China."
Chen added that "although Taiwan had now lost one diplomatic ally, he would not engage in such practices and let Taiwan become an international laughingstock."
Earlier in the day, Chen attended Palauan President Tommy Remengesau's inauguration. Two Palauan newspapers, the Palau Horizon and Tia Belau, yesterday referred to Chen as the "Taiwanese President" in their coverage.
A joint communique was signed by Chen and Remengesau, pledging to strengthen bilateral ties.
It said the two had exchanged views on international and diplomatic developments and other matters of mutual concern in a cordial and congenial atmosphere.
Chen conveyed his gratitude for the Palauan government's continuing support for Taiwan's participation in the UN, the World Health Organization and other international organizations.
Chen also extended an invitation to Remengesau to visit Taiwan.
Chen will depart today for the Solomon Islands, his final official leg of his five-day journey before returning to Taipei on Monday night via the US territory of Guam.
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