Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng (王金平) left for Japan yesterday to attend the 39th annual conference of the Asia Pacific Parliamentarians’ Union (APPU), seeking to allay Tokyo’s fears over a recent improvement in relations between Taipei and Beijing.
Speaking prior to his departure at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, Wang said he would reassure the Japanese that the traditional Taipei-Tokyo friendship would be unaffected by warming cross-strait ties.
“Taiwan and Japan should continue to develop their relationship based on mutual trust and understanding,” he said. “This is the goal of this trip.”
Wang said a five-member panel of key officials from the Presidential Office, the Executive Yuan and the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) would take part in the eight-day visit.
More than 10 legislators are accompanying Wang on the tour. Their return to Taiwan is scheduled for Wednesday.
Wang will be meeting leaders of Japan’s ruling and opposition parties and lawmakers, including former foreign minister Taro Aso, who recently accepted an offer to serve as secretary-general of the Liberal Democratic Party, making him the number two figure in the party.
In response to allegations that President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) harbored anti-Japan sentiments, Wang said the Japanese side should be clear on the president’s stance as Ma had explained his position on the matter to a group of visiting Japanese politicians earlier this week in Taipei.
The APPU meeting will open on Sunday in Tokyo.
Wang will lobby for support for Taiwan’s bid to host next year’s APPU meeting.
Taiwan-Japan ties became the focus of attention after a collision between a Taiwanese recreational fishing boat and a Japanese coast guard patrol ship last month in waters near the disputed Diaoyutai (釣魚台) islands. Taipei, Beijing and Tokyo all claim sovereignty over the disputed island chain in the East China Sea.
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