The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) yesterday described as "insincere" Beijing's proposal to negotiate an easing of cross-strait travel bans, but it did not object to holding talks on the matter, arguing that relaxing restrictions on tourism had been a longstanding policy.
Council Vice Chairman You Ying-lung (游盈隆) said that bilateral relations needed a "good start" and that discussions on cross-strait cargo flights were an appropriate place to begin any dialogue.
You's comments followed an announcement by Beijing's China National Tourism Administration that tourism restrictions would be eased. The administration offered new negotiations along the lines of the talks in January that preceded the Lunar New Year charter flights.
Negotiations on the non-stop charter flights were conducted in Macau by government-authorized business representatives under government supervision.
According to China's Xinhua News Agency, Beijing also said yesterday that relaxing restrictions on Chinese tourists visiting Taiwan was an "issue between Chinese across the Taiwan Strait."
The association said relaxation of the policy would be gradual and needed the cooperation of representatives from both sides.
"The mainland has called for talks on the issue with Taiwan's tourism authorities and promises that the new policy will be introduced in a planned, gradual and orderly manner," the news agency reported.
"China hopes Taiwan's tourism organs will be authorized to consult with the mainland on the issue of opening up Taiwan's tourism," it said.
The council, however, criticized Beijing's announcement as insincere. You said Beijing was not precisely clear about what it wanted, stressing that Beijing had not provided any concrete details about the new travel measures it wished to adopt.
You also said that government talks were necessary, but did not say whether the Council would actively engage its counterpart in talks.
He said that direct cargo flights were the government's top priority at the moment, but did not rule out talks on tourism matters being held first.
He also said that the freeze on bilateral contact was the result of China's restrictions.
Taiwan formerly refused entry to Chinese nationals, but in recent years the government has allowed entry for those who arrive via a third destination and to Chinese nationals who live abroad.
Beijing first announced plans to lift restrictions on Chinese tourists visiting Taiwan at the end of last month, following Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairman Lien Chan's (連戰) tour of China.
Beijing's proposal also follows Taiwan's latest unsuccessful attempt to enter the World Health Organization after objections by China.
Premier Frank Hsieh (
"Chinese visitors would be allowed to stay in Taiwan for no more than 10 days during their trip. We basically welcome Chinese people to come to Taiwan and witness our democracy. It is a good thing," he said at a press conference yesterday.
Hsieh was first asked why he would hold a press conference yesterday given that President Chen Shui-bian (
"We decided to hold this press conference when we learned that the Presidential Office would not make any comment about the president's anniversary. We never intended to make front-page news by doing this," Cabinet Spokesman Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) said.
Also see story:
A magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck off the southern coast of Mindanao in the Philippines at 7:38am today, prompting the US Tsunami Warning System to issue an alert for neighboring countries, including Taiwan. The system issued a purple alert indicating a "tsunami threat." The potential threat zone includes Taiwan, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Yap and Palau. Philippine authorities were assessing the damage from the quake, with the office of civil defense seeking to verifying initial reports that 15 people had been killed and 129 injured in the region, mostly from falling debris. Arlene Hollero, disaster chief of Maasim town in the Philippines' Sarangani Province,
‘GRAY ZONE’ PRESSURE: Beijing’s activities are intended to create the deceitful impression that China has jurisdiction over the area around Taiwan, the CGA said Taiwan’s rights over its territorial waters and exclusive economic zone must not be violated by any country, the Mainland Affairs Council said yesterday, adding that it will not accept any unprovoked actions. The council issued the remarks in response to the China Coast Guard conducting maritime enforcement drills near eastern Taiwan and claiming to fully exercise China’s maritime administrative law enforcement authority. The Coast Guard Administration (CGA) has been closely monitoring the situation and is taking concrete steps to defend the nation’s sovereignty and secure its waters, the council said. China has no sovereign rights over the waters off eastern
RESILIENCE: Taiwan plays a key role in semiconductors, energy, information infrastructure and advanced manufacturing, AIT Director Raymond Greene said Taiwan’s continued investment in deterrence and resilience remains vital, especially in uncrewed systems and other emerging technologies, American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Director Raymond Greene said yesterday. Greene made the remarks at the annual National Strategic Summit on Supply Chain Resilience held by the Research Institute for Democracy, Society and Emerging Technology (DSET), a government-backed think tank. As Taiwan last year became the US’ fourth-largest trading partner and supply chain security is becoming more important, cooperation in emerging technologies continues to deepen between the two countries, he said. The US is committed to accelerating innovation, building key infrastructure, strengthening cooperation
The National Chungshan Institute of Science and Technology yesterday showcased its locally developed variants of the Vision 60 robotic patrol dog, which it plans to deploy on the nation’s outlying territories in the South China Sea. The variants were produced under the Joint Lab project — created by the institute and domestic companies — and assembled with domestically produced motors, lenses and artificial intelligence (AI) systems alongside licensed tech from the US, Missile and Rocket Systems Research Division deputy director Jen Kuo-kang (任國光) told the media event at a military base in Taipei’s Dazhi (大直) area. Taiwan has built up its strengths
RSS