Warning that Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairman Lien Chan's (連戰) visit to China might have grave repercussions, Vice President Annette Lu (呂秀蓮) yesterday said that China's invitation was an arrangement aimed at unification but cloaked in the name of peace.
She said people should pay close attention to the development of cross-strait relations, not on the commotion at CKS International Airport.
"Cross-strait relations have changed a lot since Beijing passed the `Anti-Secession' Law. It is confusing and stunning for the KMT to switch its political stance from opposing communism to leaning toward communism," Lu said at the DPP Central Standing Committee's weekly meeting yesterday afternoon.
PHOTO: AFP
"The first part of the Anti-Secession Law is to facilitate unification. Inviting the opposition leaders to visit China is just part of its [Beijing's] ploys in the name of peace," Lu said.
"The second half of the law will be objecting to Taiwan's independence with force. We have to use a lot of caution in dealing with the new cross-strait situation," she said.
"Comparing with the changing cross-strait situation, the conflicts that broke out at the airport this morning were a petty thing," Lu said.
Lu said the KMT's U-turn -- with its leaders rushing to China -- reminded her of the recent train accident in Japan after the train took a sudden turn.
"Although Lien has stressed that his trip is a peace journey, the so-called `peace' in China's eye is to demand that Taiwan accept that it is part of China," Lu said. "I'm worried that Lien's visit might have the same outcome as the Japanese train accident -- major casualties."
Meanwhile, DPP Deputy Secretary-General Yen Wan-ching (
"Lien and Soong's trips have created great contention and controversy in Taiwan," Yen said. "We hope that this will remind them not to violate the voice of the majority in Taiwan."
Taiwan Solidarity Union TSU Secretary-General Chen Chien-ming (
"The police's security was full of loopholes and their blockade strategy was not effective at all," Chen said angrily at a news conference at the TSU's headquarters after its protesters returned from the airport.
"The TSU supporters stayed in the areas set out by the police. However, many pan-blue supporters -- who we suspect are gangsters -- hid in the throng and attacked us," Chen said.
He said about five TSU supporters had suffered bloody head injuries and were believed to have been assaulted by gangsters wearing rings with a tiger-head design.
Chen also pointed a finger at DPP Legislator Wang Shih-chien (王世堅), accusing him of inciting his supporters to clash with the pan-blue crowds. Chen said TSU's supporters were being scapegoated.
In response, Yen said that this was not the time for the pan-green camp to start blaming one another.
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