Lawmakers slam Chinese official's contempt for flag

Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU) lawmakers yesterday demanded that the government expel a visiting Chinese official for "seriously damaging Taiwan's national dignity."

TSU legislators Tseng Tsahn-deng (曾燦燈) and David Huang (黃適卓) said during a question-and-answer session at the Legislative Yuan that Chinese National Tourism Administration Director Shao Qiwei (邵琪偉) should be expelled from the country immediately for asking reception authorities to remove the Republic of China national flag and portraits of President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) during his visits to local establishments.

"Shao's request has harmed Taiwan's national dignity, and the government must look into the case and expel him from the country in accordance with the law," the lawmakers said

They added that the government's handling of Shao's visa application was probably flawed to begin with.

Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) Vice Chairman Johnnason Liu (劉德勳) promised to launch an investigation into Shao's behavior in Taiwan and made it clear that local organizers must not grant Shao's requests for the removal of the national flag or the president's portrait.

He said this was based on the principles of "reciprocity and dignity," the preconditions for cross-strait exchanges.

"Chinese groups visiting Taiwan must face up to the existence of the Republic of China," and "cross-strait professional exchanges must not damage the nation's dignity and status," Liu said.