Several Chinese political activists who have been in exile since their involvement in the 1989 Tiananmen Square demonstrations published an open letter to Beijing yesterday, urging authorities to allow them to return home.
The dissidents — Wang Dan (王丹), Wuer Kaixi, Wang Juntao (王軍濤), Wu Renhua (吳仁華) and Xiang Xiaoji (項小吉) — said in the joint letter posted on Wang Dan’s social networking page that they were willing to discuss the issue with Beijing on conditions of openness and sincerity.
Wang Dan and Wuer Kaixi are currently in Taiwan, while the others reside in the US.
They described themselves as Chinese nationals in exile because of their participation in the 1989 pro-democracy demonstrations. They said they have either been denied passport extensions or entry to China, “depriving them of the right to return to their own country” for political reasons.
Beijing should not take away their basic human rights because of differing political views, the letter said, adding that human rights protections and the promotion of democracy are especially hoped for at a time when “China is undergoing profound changes.”
Aftershocks from a magnitude 6.2 earthquake that struck off Yilan County at 3:45pm yesterday could reach a magnitude of 5 to 5.5, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said. Seismological Center technical officer Chiu Chun-ta (邱俊達) told a news conference that the epicenter of the temblor was more than 100km from Taiwan. Although predicted to measure between magnitude 5 and 5.5, the aftershocks would reach an intensity of 1 on Taiwan’s 7-tier scale, which gauges the actual effect of an earthquake, he said. The earthquake lasted longer in Taipei because the city is in a basin, he said. The quake’s epicenter was about 128.9km east-southeast
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The New Taipei City Government today warned about the often-overlooked dangers of playing in water, and recommended safe swimming destinations to cool off from the summer heat. The following locations in the city as safe and fun for those looking to enjoy the water: Chienshuiwan (淺水灣), Baishawan (白沙灣), Jhongjiao Bay (中角灣), Fulong Beach Resort (福隆海水浴場) and Sansia District’s (三峽) Dabao River (大豹溪), New Taipei City Tourism and Travel Department Director-General Yang Tsung-min (楊宗珉) said. Outdoor bodies of water have variables outside of human control, such as changing currents, differing elevations and environmental hazards, all of which can lead to accidents, Yang said. Sudden
Tropical Storm Podul has formed over waters north-northeast of Guam and is expected to approach the seas southeast of Taiwan next week, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said today. The 11th Pacific storm of the year developed at 2am over waters about 2,660km east of Oluanpi (歐鑾鼻), Pingtung County — Taiwan's southernmost tip. It is projected to move westward and could have its most significant impact on Taiwan on Wednesday and Thursday next week, the CWA said. The agency did not rule out the possibility of issuing a sea warning at that time. According to the CWA's latest update, Podul is drifting west-northwest
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