Print

Mail

wiki links

Taiwan Quick Take

■ Inauguration
Tighter security planned
National Security Bureau officials confirmed yesterday that the stage for President Chen Shui-bian's (陳水扁) inauguration will be surrounded by bullet-proof glass for the sake of the safety of Chen and his guests, local media reported yesterday. They said that they may borrow the glass walls from foreign companies, instead of purchasing them directly, because such bullet-proof equipment is seldom used and can be extremely expensive. Meanwhile, since the weather may be quite hot for the inauguration, the bureau has asked foreign manufacturers to produce thinner and lighter bullet-proof jackets for Chen and Vice President Annette Lu (呂秀蓮) for the ceremony.

■ Diplomacy
Berlin reaffirms `one China'
Germany declared on Monday its most explicit support yet for Beijing's position toward Taipei, rejecting any Taiwanese independence and criticizing any moves that increased tension across the Taiwan Strait. Germany reaffirmed its ``one China policy'' and said a dialogue with Beijing over its human rights record would continue. In a joint statement issued on Monday in Berlin, Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder and Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao (溫家寶) also pledged to strengthen economic ties, particularly in high technology. "The German government is opposed to the independence of Taiwan," the declaration said. "It opposes all steps directed toward an increase of tensions in the Taiwan Strait." Wen was received by Schroeder at the Berlin chancellery during a four-day visit to Germany focused on promoting business with China.

■ Inauguration
Chen stresses security
Minister of Foreign Affairs Mark Chen (陳唐山) said yesterday that threats directed against embassies have been taken seriously and that security measures have been increased. He was commenting on reports that the staff at the embassies of Nicaragua, the Dominican Republic, Honduras, Costa Rica, El Salvador and Panama received telephone calls warning them not to attend the May 20 inauguration of President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁). The minister said that it is "better to believe the threats," and enhance security at the embassies. Meanwhile, ministry spokesman Richard Shih (石瑞琦) stressed that the process of inviting foreign dignitaries to the inauguration is proceeding smoothly, and that the ministry has not received any notification of changes to the itineraries of the nation's allies. Shih also said that the ministry will do everything possible to ensure the safety of diplomatic personnel and foreign dignitaries.

■ Transport
Noto accepts direct flights
The new Noto International Airport on the Noto Peninsula in central Japan's Ishikawa Prefecture is preparing to accept direct charter flights serving tourists from Taiwan, air transport industry sources said yesterday. Airport authorities have been negotiating with Mandarin Airlines, a subsidiary of China Airlines, to jointly operate the flights between Taiwan and the peninsula, a tourist attraction on the Japan Sea famed for its hot springs, beaches and mountain scenery. Beginning June 30, Mandarin Airlines will operate an anticipated 36 charter flights direct from Taiwan to Noto by the end of the year, carrying some 55,000 tourists, sources said. The opening of the Taiwan-Noto service is expected to not only boost tourism on the Noto Peninsula but also to boost tourist numbers for the nearby city of Kanazawa.

This story has been viewed 2181 times.