Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng (
In a meeting with Wang yesterday, KMT Chairman Ma Ying-jeou (
Wang said that Ma telephoned him early yesterday morning and told him he would be happy to see him attend the event in place of the president. Wang said he was grateful that Ma "has the nation's overall interest in mind" in regard to the matter.
Wang, however, said that it was not the right time for him to meet Ma and that a meeting with him might not take place until "things are settled."
"In addition to instructing the party to help me make the necessary preparations before the trip, he [Ma] said that he is willing to use party channels to convince China to let me attend the meeting," Wang told reporters yesterday morning.
Xinhua Agency quoted Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Kong Quan (孔泉) as saying that China was firmly opposed to Taiwan's "Legislative Yuan President" attending the summit.
Kong said that "Chinese Taipei" could only send its minister in charge of APEC-related economic affairs to attend the meeting.
He said Chen had ulterior motives and was playing tricks, and that the parties concerned should handle the matter carefully and realize the gravity of the issue, Xinhua said.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesman Michael Lu (
Responding to China's opposition, Wang called on Beijing to adopt new thinking and adjust its stance.
"It's been 14 years since the memorandum of understanding [allowing Taiwan to join APEC] was signed and it is time for a change," he said.
Wang also dismissed China for questioning Chen's motives for appointing him as his proxy. He said he felt Chen had the utmost sincerity, and that he would not allow anyone to question it.
Wang also revealed that he informed former KMT chairman Lien Chan (連戰) about the matter on Wednesday and that Lien told him he would be happy to see Wang represent Chen at the meeting.
Lien apparently also told Wang that the party did not allow former premier Vincent Siew (蕭萬長) to attend an APEC meeting in 2000 as Chen's proxy because Siew was a party vice chairman at the time.
Since Wang was no longer KMT vice chairman, Lien said it would be "appropriate" and "uniquely meaningful" if Wang could go, Wang quoted Lien as saying.
Siew had been picked by Chen to go to the 2000 meeting, but was prevented from doing so after the Cabinet's abrupt announcement that it would suspend construction of the controversial Fourth Nuclear Power Plant.
Governor of the Central Bank Perng Fai-nan (
Chen's assignment of Wang received praise across party lines in the legislature's Foreign and Overseas Chinese Affairs Com-mittee yesterday.
However, opposition legislators, while applauding Chen for the decision, wondered if Chen's announcement had been made without Seoul's approval.
"Given the country's difficult diplomatic situation, the government should operate in a pragmatic way in assigning its representatives at the meeting," KMT Legislator Chiang Pin-kung (江丙坤) said.
Chiang said protocol requirede that admission to the meeting be approved by the host country before an announcement was made.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Mark Chen (陳唐山) said the US had responded positively to the announcement, which would be helpful.
"President Chen informed US officials of the announcement when he made a transit stop in Miami en route to Central America in late September," the minister said. "The US official regarded Wang as a very suitable delegate."
He urged legislators and the public to support Wang.
"As long as the public can stand up for the government's decision on the basis of the national interest, there is every possibility that Wang will be present at the meeting," he said.
Academia Sinica President Lee Yuan-tseh (李遠哲) yesterday said that Wang was a better choice than he, and that he was more than happy to offer him advice. Lee attended the last three APEC summits as the president's envoy.
FREEDOM OF NAVIGATION: The UK would continue to reinforce ties with Taiwan ‘in a wide range of areas’ as a part of a ‘strong unofficial relationship,’ a paper said The UK plans to conduct more freedom of navigation operations in the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea, British Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs David Lammy told the British House of Commons on Tuesday. British Member of Parliament Desmond Swayne said that the Royal Navy’s HMS Spey had passed through the Taiwan Strait “in pursuit of vital international freedom of navigation in the South China Sea.” Swayne asked Lammy whether he agreed that it was “proper and lawful” to do so, and if the UK would continue to carry out similar operations. Lammy replied “yes” to both questions. The
‘OF COURSE A COUNTRY’: The president outlined that Taiwan has all the necessary features of a nation, including citizens, land, government and sovereignty President William Lai (賴清德) discussed the meaning of “nation” during a speech in New Taipei City last night, emphasizing that Taiwan is a country as he condemned China’s misinterpretation of UN Resolution 2758. The speech was the first in a series of 10 that Lai is scheduled to give across Taiwan. It is the responsibility of Taiwanese citizens to stand united to defend their national sovereignty, democracy, liberty, way of life and the future of the next generation, Lai said. This is the most important legacy the people of this era could pass on to future generations, he said. Lai went on to discuss
AMENDMENT: Climate change is expected to increase the frequency of high-temperature days, affecting economic productivity and public health, experts said The Central Weather Administration (CWA) is considering amending the Meteorological Act (氣象法) to classify “high temperatures” as “hazardous weather,” providing a legal basis for work or school closures due to extreme heat. CWA Administrator Lu Kuo-chen (呂國臣) yesterday said the agency plans to submit the proposed amendments to the Executive Yuan for review in the fourth quarter this year. The CWA has been monitoring high-temperature trends for an extended period, and the agency contributes scientific data to the recently established High Temperature Response Alliance led by the Ministry of Environment, Lu said. The data include temperature, humidity, radiation intensity and ambient wind,
SECOND SPEECH: All political parties should work together to defend democracy, protect Taiwan and resist the CCP, despite their differences, the president said President William Lai (賴清德) yesterday discussed how pro-Taiwan and pro-Republic of China (ROC) groups can agree to maintain solidarity on the issue of protecting Taiwan and resisting the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The talk, delivered last night at Taoyuan’s Hakka Youth Association, was the second in a series of 10 that Lai is scheduled to give across Taiwan. Citing Taiwanese democracy pioneer Chiang Wei-shui’s (蔣渭水) slogan that solidarity brings strength, Lai said it was a call for political parties to find consensus amid disagreements on behalf of bettering the nation. All political parties should work together to defend democracy, protect Taiwan and resist