Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Hung Chi-chang (洪奇昌) yesterday defended his possible appointment as Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) chief by saying his long-term Taiwan-centric stance could withstand the test of time.
Hung's remark followed a news conference by Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU) lawmakers where they criticized him as unqualified to head the SEF. They said they were firmly opposed to the government's plan to appoint Hung as SEF chairman.
His appointment is scheduled to be announced by the foundation tomorrow.
CRITICISM
TSU caucus whip Tseng Tsahn-deng (曾燦燈) said Hung's appointment would be a fiasco for the DPP administration's China policy, and indicated that the DPP was kowtowing to China and putting Taiwan's national security at risk.
Tseng said Hung did not "love Taiwan" and had "turned a blind eye to the interests of Taiwan's people" because he favors opening direct transport links, lifting the investment cap on Taiwanese companies in China, allowing certain advanced technologies to be exported to China and permitting Taiwanese-based banks to open offices there.
TSU Legislator David Huang (
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs should be handling China affairs, he said, and the ministry should conduct an across-the- board reassessment of Taiwan's relations with China.
DEFENSE
Brushing aside the TSU's accusation that he was dancing to the pan-blue alliance's tune by urging a greater opening to China, Hung said the DPP insisted on safeguarding Taiwan's sovereignty while promoting pragmatic and stable cross-strait exchanges.
"This has been my basic belief as I have worked for Taiwan's independent sovereignty over the past 30 years," Hung said.
He said the DPP's policies on investment in China and the planned opening of Taiwan to Chinese tourists were based on the same principle.
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