China open to Tsai-Wang visit on links

Chinese authorities would not reject a visit by Mainland Affairs Chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) and Legislative Yuan Speaker Wang Jin-pyng (王金平) to talk about the opening of "direct links" if Tsai visited under an "appropriate position," according to a report yesterday in a Hong Kong newspaper.

The Wen Wei Boa (文匯報) quoted a "credible source in Bei-jing" as saying China would not rule out the possibility of discussing the opening of direct links with Tsai and Wang, if they visited China under an "appropriate position."

The Wen Wei Boa did not identify its source, but said the statement was from "Chinese authorities." The newspaper is considered a mouthpiece for the Beijing authorities.

Its story appears to be a response to a report last week by a newspaper in Taiwan that said that Tsai and Wang would not rule out the possibility of negotiating, with China, in a private capacity, matters concerning direct links.

Wang is the leader of the legislature's cross-party panel on cross-strait relations.

The Wen Wei Boa also said that the Chinese authorities haven't received any formal message from Taiwan regarding a visit by Tsai and Wang. But it said that the Chinese side is trying to break the deadlock between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait.

Tsai and Wang could not be reached for comment yesterday.

The "direct links" issue has been back in the spotlight since President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) announced on May 10 that the government may "authorize" private groups to talk with China regarding the opening of direct links.

Last Tuesday, Chen Yunlin (陳雲林), chief of China's State Council's Taiwan Affairs Office said that "The Chinese authorities would welcome the commissioning by the Taiwanese government of influential Taiwanese businessmen and representatives from various industries to talk to the Chinese side on direct cross-strait links."