Former premier Liu Chao-shiuan (劉兆玄) left for Shanghai yesterday to preside over a lighting ceremony at the Taiwan Pavilion at the Shanghai World Expo, which he will attend in his capacity as president of the National Cultural Association.
Liu said prior to his departure that he was very pleased to be asked to officiate at the ceremony and to pray for good fortune for Taiwan.
“I have high expectations of the event, as I have been told that the Taiwan Pavilion possesses many special features and an innovative design,” Liu said.
Following his Shanghai visit, Liu will travel to Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, and Beijing, where he will attend a festival designed to promote Chinese characters and traditional Chinese arts. He will deliver a speech at Beijing’s Tsinghua University on Sunday and is scheduled to return to Taipei next Tuesday.
Retired senior officials and government personnel who had a security clearance and intend to visit China are required to file an application with the National Immigration Agency, which then consults with the agency that employed the applicant, before clearance can be given.
News of Liu’s China trip gave rise to security concerns when it was announced last month, as he stepped down from his position as premier just eight months ago.
Premier Wu Den-yih (吳敦義) at the time said Liu’s application would be approved by the government in accordance with the law as the purpose of his visit was for cultural exchanges, which “are not sensitive matters.”
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