Emphasizing his support of the so-called "1992 consensus," People First Party (PFP) Chairman James Soong (
During his high-profile meeting with China's top cross-strait negotiator, chairman of the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits, Wang Daohan (
The "1992 consensus" refers to the supposed agreement reached between the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) and CCP negotiators in Hong Kong in 1992. According to the KMT, the talks were conducted under the understanding that each side supported the "one China" principle, but with different interpretations of what that means.
"The `one China' principle, but with different interpretations, is a reasonable description of the reality of the cross-strait situation. The Taiwanese people hope that China respects the reality of their existence. The Republic of China's Guidelines for National Unification (
"The guidelines state that the development of cross-strait relations is conditional, with the goal of achieving unification one step at a time, starting with a short-term phase of exchanges and reciprocal benefits, a medium-term phase of mutual trust and cooperation, and a long-term phase of consultation and unification. Cross-strait integration still needs patience and work," the PFP chairman added.
While in Shanghai yesterday, Soong also spoke to the Taiwanese business community, where he promised to relay their concerns to the Chinese president and make six policy proposals to Hu during their upcoming meeting.
"I will do what I can to speak on your behalf. All members of the Taiwanese business community are Chinese people. On this issue, everyone should work together," he told the Taiwanese businesspeople.
The six proposals he plans to discuss with Hu reflect the needs of Taiwanese businesspeople and other Taiwanese in China, Soong said.
First, he will push for equal treatment and a guarantee of the rights of Taiwanese businesspeople. In particular, he will address the issue of double-taxation Taiwanese businesspeople face in reporting their incomes in both China and Taiwan. Second, he will push for the simplification and opening up of cross-strait trade. Third, the PFP chairman will request protection of the rights of Taiwanese investors in China. Fourth, he will discuss how to resolve visa and other travel problems encountered by Taiwanese citizens in China. Fifth, he will try to speed up the establishment of direct flights between Taiwan and China, and lastly, he will address the issue of Taiwanese students' university tuition and accreditation while studying in China.
Yesterday marked the end of the Shanghai leg of Soong's nine-day Chinese tour. After attending the discussion in Shanghai, Soong flew to his hometown of Changsha, the capital of Hunan Province. Yesterday was the first time Soong has returned to Changsha in over 50 years.
GENSLER SURVEY: ‘Economic infrastructure is not enough. A city needs to inspire pride, offer moments of joy and foster a sense of belonging,’ the company said Taipei was named the city with the “highest staying power” in the world by US-based design and architecture firm Gensler. The Taiwanese capital earned the top spot among 65 cities across six continents with 64 percent of Taipei respondents in a survey of 33,000 people saying they wanted to stay in the city. Rounding out the top five were Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City (61 percent), Singapore (59 percent), Sydney (58 percent) and Berlin (51 percent). Sixth to 10th place went to Monterrey, Mexico; Munich, Germany; Sao Paulo, Brazil; Vancouver; and Seoul. Cities in the US were ranked separately, with Minneapolis first at
The Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association has cautioned Japanese travelers to be vigilant against pickpockets at several popular tourist spots in Taiwan, including Taipei’s night markets, the Yongkang Street area, Zhongshan MRT Station, and Jiufen (九份) in New Taipei City. The advisory, titled “Recent Development of Concerns,” was posted on the association’s Web site under its safety and emergency report section. It urges travelers to keep backpacks fully zipped and carried in front, with valuables placed at the bottom of the bag. Visitors are advised to be especially mindful of their belongings when taking photos or speaking on the phone, avoid storing wallets and
Scoot announced yesterday that starting in October, it would increase flights between Taipei and Japan’s Narita airport and Hokkaido, and between Singapore and Taipei. The low-cost airline, a subsidiary of Singapore Airlines, also said it would launch flights to Chiang Rai in Thailand, Okinawa and Tokyo’s Haneda airport between December and March next year. Flights between Singapore and Chiang Rai would begin on Jan. 1, with five flights per week operated by an Embraer E190-E2 aircraft, Scoot said. Flights between Singapore and Okinawa would begin on Dec. 15, with three flights per week operated by Airbus A320 aircraft, the airline said. Services between Singapore
ENDORSING TAIWAN: Honduran presidential candidate Nasry Afura said that Honduras was ‘100 times better off’ when it was allied with Taipei The Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday said it would explore the possibility of restoring diplomatic relations with Honduras based on the principle of maintaining national interests and dignity. The ministry made the remarks in response to reporters’ questions regarding an article titled: “Will Taiwan Regain a Diplomatic Ally?” published in The Diplomat on Saturday. The article said Honduras’ presidential election in November could offer Taiwan the chance to regain an ally, as multiple candidates have promoted re-establishing diplomatic relations with Taiwan. Honduras severed diplomatic ties with Taiwan in March 2023 in favor of Beijing, but since switching its diplomatic recognition,
RSS