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China interfering in Ma's planned visit to Europe

Taipei Mayor Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) yesterday faced changes to his itinerary for a planned investment procurement tour of Spain, due to obstruction by China.

Some Spanish advertising agencies have withdrawn or reduced financial support for an exposition on Chinese cultural antiques at which Ma will be a special guest during his visit in Barcelona on Aug. 17 because of pressure from China, according to City Government Spokesman Jack Yu (游梓翔).

Yu confirmed that some of Ma's planned meetings with Spanish officials might be changed for the same reason. His meeting with Barcelona's mayor, however, will take place as scheduled, Yu said yesterday.

"Mayor Ma's trip is simply focusing on business and culture. We hope that a certain political power will not intervene or suppress such a pure purpose," Yu said.

"It is evident that China's suppression of Taiwan doesn't differentiate, whether you are of the blue camp or the green camp," Ma said Thursday after learning of the changes.

Starting tomorrow, Ma and the city's 32-member investment procurement team will set out on a 13-day trip encompassing the US and Europe.
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