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CROSS-STRAIT FLIGHTS: No plan to remove national symbols for Chinese: Liu

Premier Liu Chao-shiuan (劉兆玄) said yesterday the government would not remove signs representing the country because of the arrival of Chinese tourists, adding, however, that it could not force the private sector to act against its will.

Liu made the remarks during a gathering with foreign news agencies and reporters yesterday afternoon.

“We will not pull down national flags and ‘Republic of China’ signs at tourism sites for Chinese tourists,” Liu said in response to a question on whether the government would make such a move ahead of the expansion of Chinese tourists, which begins tomorrow with a special delegation that includes Chinese officials.

In answer to another question, Liu said the government had no right to interfere with the private sector on the matter and could only remind people of the “inappropriateness” of removing national symbols.

“Of course we won’t make any changes at tourist sites because of Chinese tourists. But as for the private sector, the removal of national symbols is permissible. The government cannot order them not to do so, but it can try to discourage them,” Liu said.

Asked about the government’s position on Beijing’s insistence that Chinese tourists be prevented from seeing slogans expressing support for Falun Gong and Tibet, Liu said: “the government will continue to defend public activities.”

“Taiwan is a society of diversity, democracy and freedom. People can do whatever they want to do, as long as it is within the law. What the government can do is maintain public order and prevent confrontation and violence,” Liu said.

Liu said that as a result of “media hype,” the public may have overoptimistic expectations of the economic benefits that will accrue from the cross-strait passenger flights and the arrival of a larger number of Chinese tourists. He said, however, that those developments would have a positive impact on the tourism industry, which in turn could help attract tourists from other countries.
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