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Taiwan News Quick Take

■ POLITICS

Executive Yuan blasts China

Executive Yuan spokesman Shieh Jhy-wey (謝志偉) yesterday lashed out at China, saying it had delayed the opening-up of Taiwan to Chinese tourists for "political reasons." He was responding to a report released by Xinhua news agency on Tuesday, which said China had reached consensus with Taiwan on technical problems regarding tourism. Dai Siaofong (戴肖鋒), an official with China's Taiwan Affairs Office, was quoted in the report as saying that China will implement the consensus with the greatest sincerity. Shieh said agreement had been reached in August, not recently as the Xinhua report implied. "There were eight rounds of negotiations on the issue during 2006 and 2007, but China unilaterally suspended the negotiations for political reasons in August," Shieh said.



■ DIPLOMACY

Chen meets Canadian MPs

President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) yesterday urged Ottawa to follow Tokyo's example and grant Taiwanese tourists visa-free privileges. The Japanese government in September 2005 offered visa-free status to all Taiwanese in a bid to promote tourism. Chen said he hoped Ottawa would consider offering visa-free privileges to Taiwanese visitors as Taiwan is Canada's seventh-largest source of tourists and Canada ranks fourth on the list of favorite countries for advanced study for Taiwanese students. Chen made the remarks while receiving a delegation of Canadian parliamentarians at the Presidential Office yesterday. Chen thanked the Canadian parliament for its support and concern for peace, security and stability in the Taiwan Strait, as well as for its concern for the health of the Taiwanese people.
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