Scores of legislators planning to visit China

As talks of direct links across the Taiwan Strait gain momentum, scores of lawmakers have planned trips to China for after the end of the legislative session in June.

Some have volunteered to act as envoys to help remove obstacles to direct trade, mail and transportation links between Taiwan and China.

KMT legislator and former foreign minister John Chang (章孝嚴), who originally intended to travel to China in April, now plans to make a trip on June 22.

Leaders from the four legislative caucuses earlier agreed to extend the session until June 21.

Since the transfer of power in May 2000, Chang has devoted himself to promoting the business interests of Taiwanese in China.

The group he will lead is expected to visit Beijing, Shanghai, Nanjing and other cities, according to Chang's aide, who added that the travelers plan to exchange views on direct links with Chinese officials.

In a speech to media executives on May 10, President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) said that the government may authorize civil organizations to negotiate with China.

Last Tuesday, Chen Yunlin (陳雲林), chief of the Taiwan Affairs Office at China's State Council, responded by saying that Chinese authorities would welcome Taiwan businesspeople to play the role of troubleshooters.

He named Wang Yung-ching (王永慶), chairman of the Formosa Group, and Kao Ching-yuan (高清愿), chairman of the Uni-President Enterprises Corp, as two appropriate candidates.

The two corporations both have substantial investments in China.

KMT Legislator Her Jyh-huei (何智輝), who heads a private foundation aimed at enhancing cross-strait ties, will lead another delegation to China in the hope of helping break the political stalemate.

Her's foundation has helped mediate cross-strait affairs since Beijing halted talks with Taipei in July 1999, aides said, who declined to supply any further details for fear of ruining the planned trip.

PFP Legislator Chou Hsi-wei (周錫瑋) said he and colleagues from across party lines plan to visit China on June 27.

Chou said an earlier trip was cancelled because Chinese authorities would not issue visas to two of his TSU colleagues, adding that they intend to call on Taiwan businesspeople there.

Earlier, the PFP lawmaker recommended Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng (王金平) be tapped to negotiate the issue.

The show of enthusiasm is not limited to opposition legislators.

DPP Legislator Chiu Tai-san (邱太三) said he and some colleagues will embark on a cross-strait journey in the summer.

Chiu said his group's trip is aimed at testing the sincerity of Beijing's claim that not all DPP officials are blocked from visiting China.

In late January, Chinese Vice Premier Qian Qichen (錢其琛) said he welcomed DPP members to visit China, noting that not all members of the ruling party are die-hard advocates of Taiwan independence.

"There is difference between DPP members and the minority of hard-line independence advocates," Qian said. "We welcome most DPP members to visit China under appropriate capacities to promote mutual understanding."

Last week, Mainland Affairs Council Chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) said she would not rule out acting as an envoy herself and added that negotiators must possess "credibility, reliability, professionalism and experience."