The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) said yesterday that the government should freeze talks on cross-strait charter flights during the Tomb-sweeping Day period in early April and should reassess its overall China policy.
Chen Chin-chun (
Pu and Lo, on behalf of each side of the Taiwan Strait, completed discussion on the charter flights for the Lunar New Year holiday in early January, in which the model of joint-participation of air carriers on both sides, and nonstop two-way flights in Hong Kong or Macau was adopted.
Chen noted that the successful launch of cross-strait charter flights during the Lunar New Year holiday should have eased cross-strait relations, but that didn't stop China from pushing its proposed "anti-secession" law targeting Taiwan.
He said that China threatens "non-peaceful means" against Taiwan in the proposed law, but the law also stipulates that it will encourage and promote cross-strait economic exchanges and cooperation, establish direct trade, postal and transportation links and closer economic relations for mutual benefit.
Chen described Beijing's talk about charter flights during the Tomb-sweeping Day period as part of a "carrot and stick" approach that he said lacks true goodwill.
The opposition parties were also lukewarm about talks on the Tomb-sweeping charter flights, with the opposition Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) saying that the government should deal with it wisely.
KMT spokesman Chang Jung-kung (
Chang said that the US responded positively to cross-strait charter flights during the Lunar New Year holiday and claimed that if Taiwan cannot agree to such services for Tomb-sweeping Day, the US could apply pressure to the DPP government.
The KMT's ally, the People First Party, said it "would be better to slow down" on discussing cross-trait charter flights at present.
PFP caucus whip Chen Chih-bin (陳志彬) said it would be "a bit strange" for the two sides to discuss the charter flight issue in light of China's anti-secession law.
The Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU) said it opposes the flights.
TSU caucus whip Lo Chih-ming (
He added that the anti-secession law is like a big stick used to threaten Taiwan and that the country should not kowtow to China. Until Beijing responds with goodwill, Taiwan should not be over-enthusiastic, he said.
LOW RISK: Most nations do not extradite people accused of political crimes, and the UN says extradition can only happen if the act is a crime in both countries, an official said China yesterday issued wanted notices for two Taiwanese influencers, accusing them of committing “separatist acts” by criticizing Beijing, amid broadening concerns over China’s state-directed transnational repression. The Quanzhou Public Security Bureau in a notice posted online said police are offering a reward of up to 25,000 yuan (US$3,523) for information that could contribute to the investigation or apprehension of pro-Taiwanese independence YouTuber Wen Tzu-yu (溫子渝),who is known as Pa Chiung (八炯) online, and rapper Chen Po-yuan (陳柏源). Wen and Chen are suspected of spreading content that supported secession from China, slandered Chinese policies that benefit Taiwanese and discrimination against Chinese spouses of
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PROMOTION: Travelers who want a free stopover must book their flights with designated travel agents, such as Lion Travel, Holiday Tours, Cola Tour and Life Tours Air Canada yesterday said it is offering Taiwanese travelers who are headed to North America free stopovers if they transit though airports in Japan and South Korea. The promotion was launched in response to a potential rise in demand for flights to North America in June and July next year, when the US, Canada and Mexico are scheduled to jointly host the FIFA World Cup, Air Canada said. Air Canada offers services to 13 of the 16 host cities of the tournament’s soccer games, including Toronto and Vancouver; Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey in Mexico; Atlanta, Georgia; Boston; Dallas; Houston;
The US approved the possible sale to Taiwan of fighter jet spare and repair parts for US$330 million, the Pentagon said late yesterday, marking the first such potential transaction since US President Donald Trump took office in January. "The proposed sale will improve the recipient's capability to meet current and future threats by maintaining the operational readiness of the recipient's fleet of F-16, C-130," and other aircraft, the Pentagon said in a statement. Trump previously said that Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) has told him he would not invade Taiwan while the Republican leader is in office. The announcement of the possible arms
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