An annual forum on cross-strait economic development in Hangzhou kicked off with China's Taiwan Affairs Office admonishing investors in Taiwan to steer clear of support for Taiwan's independence.
"It is not permissible for individuals to benefit from cross-strait economic ties and yet remain proponents of Taiwan's independence while [in Taiwan]," Wang Zaixi (王在希), vice minister of the Taiwan Affairs Office, said in a speech yesterday.
"It is very dangerous for Taiwan to think that China would be willing to tolerate Taiwan's independence in order to promote economic development and to host the Olympics," Wang warned.
"Those supporting Taiwan's independence also express at the same time a willingness to develop cross-strait economic relations," Wang said.
He said that this made apparent the duplicity of Taiwan's policy on China, saying that there were different policies for the political and the economic spheres.
According to reports yesterday, the conference attracted roughly 200 participants, more than in previous years. The Xinhua News Agency referred to the forum as an instance of important cross-strait exchanges. It is also the first forum on cross-strait relations organized by the Chinese government since President Chen Shui-bian's (陳水扁) inauguration in May.
The forum is organized each year by a research institute affiliated with China's Taiwan Affairs Office.
The annual forum was attended by several high-profile Taiwanese investors, including Shin Kong Financial chairman Eugene Wu (吳東進), Formosa Plastics Corp (台塑) president Lee Chih-tsuen (李志村) and Chinese Federation of Labor vice chairmen Preston Chen (陳武雄).
Several former Taiwanese government officials were in attendance yesterday. Former Control Yuan president Wang Tso-jung (王作榮), former minister of justice Liao Cheng-hao (廖正豪) and New Party Chairman Yok Mu-ming (郁慕明) were all present.
China Airlines, Evergreen International Corporation, Uni-President Group, and Yulon Motors Co also sent representatives to the forum.
Wang also addressed the issue of establishing direct links across the Taiwan Strait, saying that it was an internal matter.
"Direct links are a cross-strait matter. They are an internal affair concerning the Chinese people on both sides of the strait. It is not an issue between two countries," Wang said.
He said that China welcomed non-governmental organizations or enterprises in Taiwan to discuss the matter with China as long as it is in accordance with principles of establishing direct and two-way links of mutual benefit.
SHIPS, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES: The ministry has announced changes to varied transportation industries taking effect soon, with a number of effects for passengers Beginning next month, the post office is canceling signature upon delivery and written inquiry services for international registered small packets in accordance with the new policy of the Universal Postal Union, the Ministry of Transportation and Communications said yesterday. The new policy does not apply to packets that are to be delivered to China, the ministry said. Senders of international registered small packets would receive a NT$10 rebate on postage if the packets are sent from Jan. 1 to March 31, it added. The ministry said that three other policies are also scheduled to take effect next month. International cruise ship operators
HORROR STORIES: One victim recounted not realizing they had been stabbed and seeing people bleeding, while another recalled breaking down in tears after fleeing A man on Friday died after he tried to fight the knife-wielding suspect who went on a stabbing spree near two of Taipei’s busiest metro stations, Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安) said. The 57-year-old man, identified by his family name, Yu (余), encountered the suspect at Exit M7 of Taipei Main Station and immediately tried to stop him, but was fatally wounded and later died, Chiang said, calling the incident “heartbreaking.” Yu’s family would receive at least NT$5 million (US$158,584) in compensation through the Taipei Rapid Transit Corp’s (TRTC) insurance coverage, he said after convening an emergency security response meeting yesterday morning. National
PLANNED: The suspect visited the crime scene before the killings, seeking information on how to access the roof, and had extensively researched a 2014 stabbing incident The suspect in a stabbing attack that killed three people and injured 11 in Taipei on Friday had planned the assault and set fires at other locations earlier in the day, law enforcement officials said yesterday. National Police Agency (NPA) Director-General Chang Jung-hsin (張榮興) said the suspect, a 27-year-old man named Chang Wen (張文), began the attacks at 3:40pm, first setting off smoke bombs on a road, damaging cars and motorbikes. Earlier, Chang Wen set fire to a rental room where he was staying on Gongyuan Road in Zhongzheng District (中正), Chang Jung-hsin said. The suspect later threw smoke grenades near two exits
The Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency yesterday launched a gift box to market honey “certified by a Formosan black bear” in appreciation of a beekeeper’s amicable interaction with a honey-thieving bear. Beekeeper Chih Ming-chen (池明鎮) in January inspected his bee farm in Hualien County’s Jhuosi Township (卓溪) and found that more than 20 beehives had been destroyed and many hives were eaten, with bear droppings and paw prints near the destroyed hives, the agency said. Chih returned to the farm to move the remaining beehives away that evening when he encountered a Formosan black bear only 20m away, the agency said. The bear
RSS