The recent death of Taiwan's top negotiator with China has brought about a new era in cross-strait relations, noted Chinese dissident Wei Jinsheng (
Wei recalled the significance of a historic 1993 meeting between then Straits Exchange Foundation chairman Koo Chen-fu (
Wei said the event was historic because it would not have been possible with Koo's efforts alone, noting that China was isolated in the international community following the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre and was more willing to negotiate, while Koo had the full authorization of then-president Lee Teng-hui (
But with the changing times, cross-strait relations are now facing a new era, Wei said. He said that the US had hoped to solicit support from China in the war against Iraq and on the North Korea issue.
But Wei said he has heard State Department officials and friends in US think tanks complaining lately that Beijing has been dragging its feet on many issues, including North Korea and nuclear arms inspections in Iran.
Wei noted that after Chinese President Hu Jintao (
Taiwan should make good use of the situation to strengthen its international relations, he said.
Wei said that Taiwan should adjust its approach and strengthen its relations with Western countries to solicit wider support. It should also improve its publicity drive toward the Chinese to win their hearts, adding that it is futile to extend olive branches to the Beijing authorities.
POLAM KOPITIAM CASE: Of the two people still in hospital, one has undergone a liver transplant and is improving, while the other is being evaluated for a liver transplant A fourth person has died from bongkrek acid poisoning linked to the Polam Kopitiam (寶林茶室) restaurant in Taipei’s Far Eastern Sogo Xinyi A13 Department Store, the Ministry of Health and Welfare said yesterday, as two other people remain seriously ill in hospital. The first death was reported on March 24. The man had been 39 years old and had eaten at the restaurant on March 22. As more cases of suspected food poisoning involving people who had eaten at the restaurant were reported by hospitals on March 26, the ministry and the Taipei Department of Health launched an investigation. The Food and
The long-awaited Taichung aquarium is expected to open next year after more than a decade of development. The building in Cingshui District (清水) is to feature a large ocean aquarium on the first floor, coral display area on the second floor, a jellyfish tank and Dajia River (大甲溪) basin display on the third, a river estuary display and restaurant on the fourth, and a cafe and garden on the fifth. As it is near Wuci Fishing Port (梧棲漁港), many are expecting the opening of the aquarium to bring more tourism to the harbor. Speaking at the city council on Monday, Taichung City Councilor
A fourth person has died in a food poisoning outbreak linked to the Xinyi (信義) branch of Malaysian restaurant chain Polam Kopitiam (寶林茶室) in Taipei, Deputy Minister of Health and Welfare Victor Wang (王必勝) said on Monday. It was the second fatality in three days, after another was announced on Saturday. The 40-year-old woman experienced multiple organ failure in the early hours on Monday, and the family decided not to undergo emergency resuscitation, Wang said. She initially showed signs of improvement after seeking medical treatment for nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, but her condition worsened due to an infection, he said. Two others who
Taiwanese should be mindful when visiting China, as Beijing in July is likely to tighten the implementation of policies on national security following the introduction of two regulations, a researcher said on Saturday. China on Friday unveiled the regulations governing the law enforcement and judicial activities of national security agencies. They would help crack down on “illegal” and “criminal” activities that Beijing considers to be endangering national security, according to reports by China’s state media. The definition of what constitutes a national security threat in China is vague, Taiwan Thinktank researcher Wu Se-chih (吳瑟致) said. The two procedural regulations are to provide Chinese