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No goodwill from PRC: MOFA

Although Beijing has softened its tone in its opposition to Taiwan’s UN bid this year, the change still does not represent a “goodwill gesture” on its part, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said yesterday.

This year, rather than seeking a seat in the global body, Taiwan is only requesting “meaningful participation” in UN agencies.

Sticking to Beijing’s usual rhetoric, Chinese Ambassador to the UN Wang Guangya (王光亞) said in a letter to the UN Secretariat Office last month that Taiwan does not qualify for separate representation because it is part of China.

“This is not a goodwill gesture on Beijing’s part. The standard answer by the Chinese is not helpful to cross-strait developments,” said Paul Chang (章文樑), head of the ministry’s Department of International Organizations.

Chang said that in his letter, Wang argued that Taiwan and China should shelve their differences and seek common interests.

“If that is the case, then the language [in the letter] should reflect such a position,” Chang said.

To date, the US, the EU and Japan have not taken an official position on Taiwan’s bid this year, but the ministry said the US approves of the move.

Several of Taiwan’s diplomatic allies, including Paraguay, Panama and the Dominican Republic, which President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) visited last month, have decided against supporting Taiwan’s UN bid because of “special circumstances,” the ministry said.

“We understand and respect those circumstances,” Chang said to dispel fears that the nation’s relations with diplomatic allies are crumbling.

In related news, Chang said yesterday that Taiwan would be taking a more active role in APEC, such as hosting the first-ever Workshop on Large-Scale Disaster Recovery in Taipei from Sept. 22 to Sept. 28, where experts will share experiences in disaster relief efforts.

More than 80 participants from 11 member-economies, including Australia, Singapore, China and New Zealand, are expected to attend the meeting.

Chang said that following a two-day indoor symposium, participants would head for Nantou County, which suffered extensive damage in the 921 Earthquake in 1999, to assess reconstruction efforts.

The meeting will conclude in China, with participants visiting Sichuan Province to assess post-disaster management following the devastating earthquake in May.

Taipei will host the APEC Photovoltaic Conference next month.
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