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Government warns group over free trip offered by Beijing

The Overseas Chinese Affairs Commission (OCAC) yesterday warned a Taiwanese association in the US over accepting an invitation for a free trip to China, saying it could dent the organization's principle of upholding Taiwan's interests.

Commission Vice Minister Cheng Tong-hsing (鄭東興) yesterday urged members of the Taiwan Benevolent Association of America not to accept the free accommodation and other perks that Beijing had offered during their stay in China.

Cheng confirmed that 33 members of the association left for China yesterday for a short visit. The association is funded by the commission.

"We hope these members do not use the title of the association when they travel in China. It's OK that they make the visit for personal purposes, but not in the name of the association," Cheng said.

The vice minister said the association made the decision to accept the invitation to tour China for free without the consent of all its members.

He said the invitation was one of China's gimmicks in its "united front" campaign, adding that it was inappropriate for members to accept free items when Beijing has not renounced the use of force against Taiwan.
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