Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Chai Trong-rong (
"The invitation was a ruse," Chai said.
Chai, a longstanding advocate of Taiwanese independence, said that even if the invitation were sincere, several prerequisites would have to be met by Beijing before such a visit could take place.
PHOTO: LIAO CHEN-HUEI, TAIPEI TIMES
The prerequisites he mentioned include a pledge by Beijing that it wouldn't restrict the size of the DPP delegation, that the delegation could arrange its own itinerary and that its freedom of speech would not be curtailed. Furthermore, Beijing would have to allow reporters to accompany the delegation, Chai said.
"Beijing would have to meet these prerequisites before talks on the details of such a visit could be held," Chai said, adding that given the current political climate in China, he doubted that Beijing would agree to his conditions.
Meanwhile, DPP Legislator Wang Sing-nan (王幸男) said that before such a visit could take place, a video conference would first have to be held in which Beijing confirmed that the DPP legislators would be visiting in their capacity as legislators of the Republic of China.
Jia Qinglin (
Before Jia's remarks, Beijing authorities had refused to have any dialogue or engagement with the DPP administration because of its pro-independence leanings.
In related news, Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) legislators yesterday denied a report that they had sought sensual pleasures on a recent visit to China.
The Chinese-language Next magazine ran a story in its latest issue, claiming that KMT legislators Ko Chun-hsiung (柯俊雄), Wu Ing-yi (吳英毅) and Chang Sho-wen (張碩文) visited a lounge bar where they were entertained by five bargirls.
The report said the trip led by Ko was initially organized to inspect the implementation of the mini-three-links, the routes between the outlying islands of Kinmen and Matsu with the Chinese province of Fujian.
In response, Ko yesterday told a press conference that the publication had insulted the legislators "by inventing the story."
"We didn't order any bargirls and we stayed in the lounge bar for just half an hour. We were treated to a meal by China-based Taiwanese businesspeople, and we personally met all our other expenses," Ko said.
Wu also admitted visiting the lounge bar, but said he did so to seek medical treatment for his sprained wrist.
According to Next, the KMT delegation -- which comprised 10 legislators, 18 assistants and an undisclosed number of other staff -- left for China on July 17 and returned last Friday.
In accordance with the legislature's regulations, legislators are entitled to a subsidy of NT$160,000 (US$4,886) per legislative session for trips abroad.
But Ko said the legislators would not seek reimbursement for their travel expenses.
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