Premier Yu Shyi-kun said yesterday that both sides of the Taiwan Strait can talk about any issues in consultations and dialogue, even the "one China" rhetoric cherished by China, and there will be no bottom line.
The premier was responding to questions by Legislator Cheng Kuo-chung (鄭國忠) of the Democratic Progressive Party in the Legislative Yuan. Cheng asked how the Executive Yuan is going to follow through on President Chen Shui-bian's (陳水扁) call for the resumption of cross-strait dialogue in his Double Ten National Day message.
Chen said he would propose that both sides use the basis of the 1992 meeting in Hong Kong to seek possible ways that are "not necessarily perfect, but accept-able" in preparation for a step forward in the resumption of dialogue and consultations.
The premier said a 1992 meeting in Hong Kong paved the way for the first high-ranking negotiations between China and Taiwan the following year, but that there is no such thing as the "1992 consensus."
The president's words that the Hong Kong meeting could be used as a basis aims to put aside cross-strait disputes on sovereignty and engage in pragmatic exchanges, Yu said, stressing that his words should not be twisted to imply a consensus was reached in 1992.
On cross-strait issues the president touched on in his address, including arms control to avoid conflicts, confidence-building measures through consultations and dialogues, and the establishment of a "code of conduct across the Taiwan Strait," Yu said that the government has "made preparations for cross-strait matters."
"There will be no bottom line for cross-strait consultations, he said, so anything can be discussed, including possible venues and timing.
"The government is extending an olive branch in sincerity, and is hoping to have a positive response from China," Yu said.
Foreign travelers entering Taiwan on a short layover via Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport are receiving NT$600 gift vouchers from yesterday, the Tourism Administration said, adding that it hopes the incentive would boost tourism consumption at the airport. The program, which allows travelers holding non-Taiwan passports who enter the country during a layover of up to 24 hours to claim a voucher, aims to promote attractions at the airport, the agency said in a statement on Friday. To participate, travelers must sign up on the campaign Web site, the agency said. They can then present their passport and boarding pass for their connecting international
Temperatures in northern Taiwan are forecast to reach as high as 30°C today, as an ongoing northeasterly seasonal wind system weakens, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said. CWA forecaster Tseng Chao-cheng (曾昭誠) said yesterday that with the seasonal wind system weakening, warmer easterly winds would boost the temperature today. Daytime temperatures in northern Taiwan and Yilan County are expected to range from 28°C to 30°C today, up about 3°C from yesterday, Tseng said. According to the CWA, temperature highs in central and southern Taiwan could stay stable. However, the weather is expected to turn cooler starting tonight as the northeasterly wind system strengthens again
COOLING OFF: Temperatures are expected to fall to lows of about 20°C on Sunday and possibly 18°C to 19°C next week, following a wave of northeasterly winds on Friday The Central Weather Administration (CWA) on Sunday forecast more rain and cooler temperatures for northern Taiwan this week, with the mercury dropping to lows of 18°C, as another wave of northeasterly winds sweeps across the country. The current northeasterly winds would continue to affect Taiwan through today, with precipitation peaking today, bringing increased rainfall to windward areas, CWA forecaster Liu Pei-teng (劉沛滕) said. The weather system would weaken slightly tomorrow before another, stronger wave arrives on Friday, lasting into next week, Liu said. From yesterday to today, northern Taiwan can expect cool, wet weather, with lows of 22°C to 23°C in most areas,
Taiwan sweltered through its hottest October on record, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said yesterday, the latest in a string of global temperature records. The main island endured its highest average temperature since 1950, CWA forecaster Liu Pei-teng said. Temperatures the world over have soared in recent years as human-induced climate change contributes to ever more erratic weather patterns. Taiwan’s average temperature was 27.381°C as of Thursday, Liu said. Liu said the average could slip 0.1°C by the end of yesterday, but it would still be higher than the previous record of 27.009°C in 2016. "The temperature only started lowering around Oct. 18 or 19
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