People First Party (PFP) Chairman James Soong (宋楚瑜) paid a tearful tribute to the tombs of his ancestors in his hometown in Hunan Province, China yesterday. It has been 57 years since Soong left his hometown of Hsiangtan, Hunan Province, which is also the hometown of Mao Zedong (毛澤東).
Accompanied by his wife Viola Chen Wan-shui (
James Soong and his wife were emotional when they were paying respect at his grandfather's tomb. He also gathered soil from the tombs, planning to bring it back home.
After visiting the tombs of his great-grandfather, grandfather and grandmother in the remote countryside, Soong told reporters that many things had changed since he left his hometown 57 years ago.
"I remember when I escorted the coffin of my grandmother back here in 1948, I saw nothing but poverty," he said. "Now, things have changed and are so much different from the way they used to be."
Responding to President Chen Shui-bian's (陳水扁) criticism of Soong's visit, PFP policy department head Chang Hsien-yao (張顯耀) said that it remains to be seen as to whether the criticism would sabotage the burgeoning relationship between the PFP and the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).
Chang also said that Soong is not acting as the president's messenger, and that Beijing's attitude would not easily be affected by Chen's remarks.
"Chairman Soong is looking forward to meeting with President Hu Jintao (
According to Chang, Soong is scheduled to meet with Hu at 3pm on Thursday before meeting with Chinese Vice President Zeng Qinghong (
PFP spokesman Hsieh Kung-pin (
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