Hong Kong's refusal of Taipei City Mayor Ma Ying-jeou's (
"If it is indeed because Ma spoke negatively about the anti-secession legislation that he is unable to go to Hong Kong, then this would prove to be a complete obliteration of the `one country, two systems' model," Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) Vice Chairman Chiu Tai-san (
Media reports from Hong Kong have pointed to Ma's recent criticism of China's anti-secession bill as the reason behind the visa complications, but Chiu said the council was working to get an official explanation.
Chiu also responded to inquiries as to whether Ma's announcement that he'd failed to secure a visa was politically motivated, aimed at demonstrating to Taiwanese constituents that his relationship with Chinese authorities is not as cozy as some believe.
While Chiu responded in the negative, saying that the presidential elections were a long way off, he said he felt that the Hong Kong government's rejection of Ma's visa application made evident the possible impact of the anti-secession law.
"If someone like Ma is unable to secure a visa because of his remarks regarding the anti-secession bill, then what will become of others in Taiwan who criticize the bill? Won't it be even worse? The withholding of a visa for Ma will only turn the Taiwanese people away from the bill," Chiu said.
Meanwhile, Taiwan's de facto representative to Hong Kong, Pao Cheng-kang (鮑正鋼), yesterday echoed the Executive Yuan, calling on the government of Hong Kong to provide an explanation for its refusal to issue Ma a visa, according to the Central News Agency.
"Ma was to visit Hong Kong at the invitation of Hong Kong University ... and the visit would have had nothing to do with politics. Many citizens of Hong Kong have already expressed regret regarding the government's temporary refusal to issue a visa," the news agency quoted Pao as saying.
Pao said he had already contacted Hong Kong officials for an explanation, but that no response had been given.
According to the report, Pao said that the government's suggestion that Hong Kong University invite Ma again in April indicated there was some flexibility in the matter.
China has reserved offshore airspace in the Yellow Sea and East China Sea from March 27 to May 6, issuing alerts usually used to warn of military exercises, although no such exercises have been announced, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported yesterday. Reserving such a large area for 40 days without explanation is an “unusual step,” as military exercises normally only last a few days, the paper said. These alerts, known as Notice to Air Missions (Notams), “are intended to inform pilots and aviation authorities of temporary airspace hazards or restrictions,” the article said. The airspace reserved in the alert is
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The Republic of China Army Command yesterday relieved Kinmen Defense Battalion commander after authorities indicted the officer on charges connected to using methamphetamine. The Kinmen District Prosecutors’ Office on Wednesday detained Colonel He (何) after the Coast Guard linked him to drug shipments and proceeded to charge him yesterday for using and possessing crystal meth. The man was released on a NT$50,000 bail and banned from leaving Kinmen, the office said. Army Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Chen Chien-yi (陳建義) told a news conference yesterday that He has been removed and another officer is taking over the unit as the acting commander. The military
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