While conducting cross-strait negotiations at this juncture would be difficult, dialogue remains Taiwan's ultimate long-term goal, Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) Chairman Joseph Wu (
Wu indicated while delivering a speech at Waseda University yesterday that given the recent passage of Beijing's "Anti-Secession" Law, it would be difficult for negotiations to take place at this point in time, but assured that it would be the goal of the council's efforts in the future.
If both sides actively cooperate, the probability of success in discussing the politics of lasting peace increases, Wu said.
The Central News Agency reported from Tokyo yesterday that a crowd of roughly one hundred students was present at Wu's lecture, titled "Cross-strait relations and Taiwan's China Policy After the Anti-Secession Law."
Wu said that the goal of Taiwan's efforts was to secure goodwill, a peaceful resolution, active cooperation and lasting peace. Wu added, however, that while Beijing's Anti-Secession Law, which authorizes the use of force against Taiwan to check what it determines to be secessionist activity, had already gravely damaged cross-strait ties and Taiwan would continue to closely monitor China's moves. He reiterated that Taiwan would not give up on its goals of peaceful dialogue and peace across the Taiwan Strait.
Wu said that Beijing's military build-up was a threat to not only Taiwan but the entire East Asian region. He also noted that the crux of cross-strait conflict was in the diplomatic arena, with China using various measures to ensure Taiwan's diplomatic isolation.
Wu told his Japanese audience that various issues needed to be negotiated between Taiwan and China, naming cargo flights, monetary exchange, an agreement for the protection of the investment rights of Taiwanese businesspeople in China, financial management agencies, the avoidance of double taxation, cooperation on fighting crime and illegal immigration.
Wu left for Japan on Tuesday and is slated to return on Sunday.
The first two F-16V Bock 70 jets purchased from the US are expected to arrive in Taiwan around Double Ten National Day, which is on Oct. 10, a military source said yesterday. Of the 66 F-16V Block 70 jets purchased from the US, the first completed production in March, the source said, adding that since then three jets have been produced per month. Although there were reports of engine defects, the issue has been resolved, they said. After the jets arrive in Taiwan, they must first pass testing by the air force before they would officially become Taiwan’s property, they said. The air force
GLOBAL: Although Matsu has limited capacity for large numbers of domestic tourists, it would be a great high-end destination for international travelers, an official said Lienchiang County’s (Matsu) unique landscape and Cold War history give it great potential to be marketed as a destination for international travelers, Tourism Administration Director General Chen Yu-hsiu (陳玉秀) said at the weekend. Tourism officials traveled to the outlying island for the Matsu Biennial, an art festival that started on Friday to celebrate Matsu’s culture, history and landscape. Travelers to Matsu, which lies about 190km northwest of Taipei, must fly or take the state-run New Taima passenger ship. However, flights are often canceled during fog season from April to June. Chen spoke about her vision to promote Matsu as a tourist attraction in
PAWSITIVE IMPACT: A shop owner said that while he adopted cats to take care of rodents, they have also attracted younger visitors who also buy his dried goods In Taipei’s Dadaocheng (大稻埕), cats lounging in shops along Dihua Street do more than nap amid the scent of dried seafood. Many have become beloved fixtures who double as photography models, attracting visitors and helping boost sales in one of the capital’s most historic quarters. A recent photo contest featuring more than a dozen shop cats drew more than 2,200 submissions, turning everyday cat-spotting into a friendly competition that attracted amateur and professional photographers. “It’s rare to see cats standing, so when it suddenly did, it felt like a lucky cat,” said Sabrina Hsu (徐淳蔚), who won the NT$10,000 top prize in
STRIKE: Some travel agencies in Taiwan said that they were aware of the situation in South Korea, and that group tours to the country were proceeding as planned A planned strike by airport personnel in South Korea has not affected group tours to the country from Taiwan, travel agencies said yesterday. They added that they were closely monitoring the situation. Personnel at 15 airports, including Seoul’s Incheon and Gimpo airports, are to go on strike. They announced at a news conference on Tuesday that the strike would begin on Friday next week and continue until the Mid-Autumn Festival next month. Some travel agencies in Taiwan, including Cola Tour, Lion Travel, SET Tour and ezTravel, said that they were aware of the situation in South Korea, and that group
RSS