Soong warns lawmakers not to be used by Beijing

A group of legislators from the People First Party (PFP) who are currently on a visit to China were urged by PFP Chairman James Soong (宋楚瑜) to be "careful" of not being used by Beijing regarding certain cross-strait issues.

In a telephone conversation with Soong, PFP Legislator Shen Chih-huei (沈智慧) said Beijing has now softened its stance on the issue of direct links with Taiwan.

According to Shen, Chinese Vice Premier Qian Qichen (錢其琛), in a meeting with visiting PFP lawmakers in Beijing on Tuesday, said the "one China" term could be omitted from all bilateral transportation documents if Taiwan feels uncomfortable about it.

"If Taiwan wants to sidestep the thorny issue of one China, the island should take its cue from the aviation negotiations between Taiwan and Hong Kong in 1996 and conduct talks with Beijing through private channels," Qian was quoted as saying. "Government officials could still take part in the talks as executives of the private firms involved."