With the Ministry of Foreign Affairs under attack for its subdued comments on the Japanese Prime Minister's visit to the Yasukuni War Shrine, former president Lee Teng-hui (李登輝) yesterday declined to comment on the issue.
KMT Chairman Lien Chan (連戰), however, criticized the government's response to Koizumi's visit as "inappropriate" during a KMT Central Standing Committee meeting. In his comments, Lien expressed regret over Koizumi's visit, and said in regard to Japanese militarism that "historic mistakes can be forgiven, but not forgotten."
Last week Lee was quoted by the Japanese weekly Shukan Shincho as supporting Koizumi's intent to visit the shrine. Lee later denied that he had said this. Lee aide Lee Ching-yi (
Meanwhile, in response to speculation that Lee may visit Japan next month for a follow-up to his April heart surgery, Lin Chin-ching (林金莖), chairman of the Association of East Asian Relations and former representative to Japan yesterday predicted that Lee's chances of paying a second visit to Japan were high.
"Lee is warmly welcomed and enjoys wide popular support whenever he visits Japan. What reason could the Japanese possible have to deny Lee a visit to his doctor?" Lin said during founding ceremonies for the DPP-sponsored Taiwan-Japan Goodwill Association (台日友好協會).
After Lee's trip to Japan in April, Japanese Foreign Minister Makiko Tanaka assured China's Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan (
Lin said, however, that: "If the Japanese Cabinet calls a meeting to determine whether Lee should be permitted to visit or not, the Japanese foreign minister's opinion would be just one among many. The Japanese Cabinet will take the relationship with China into a consideration, but at no stage can it ignore public opinion," Lin said.
However, Lee's aide told the Taipei Times that at present the former president has no plans to go to Japan for medical treatment.
"Mr. Lee's health is quite good. Whether or not to seek further medical treatment depends on his physicians' suggestions. Also, Mr. Lee's attending doctor in Japan has not asked him to have a follow-up checkup," Lee's aide said.
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China is mischaracterizing UN Resolution 2758 for its own interests by conflating it with its “one China” principle, US Deputy Assistant Secretary for China and Taiwan Mark Lambert said on Monday. Speaking at a seminar held by the German Marshall Fund, Lambert called for support for Taiwan’s meaningful participation in the international community at a time when China is increasingly misusing Resolution 2758. The resolution had a clear impact when it changed who occupied the China seat at the UN, Lambert said. “Today, however, the PRC [People’s Republic of China] increasingly mischaracterizes and misuses Resolution 2758 to serve its own interests,” Lambert said. “Beijing