A US newspaper has sharply contrasted the differences in treatment accorded Vietnamese President Truong Tan Sang when he visited the US earlier this month and what President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) will receive during a planned stopover next month.
“The president of Vietnam was received at the White House by [US] President [Barack] Obama with all the pomp and circumstance,” an opinion piece in USA Today said this week.
Ma, the newspaper said, “was not welcome in Washington at all.”
He will be touching down in New York, en route to Paraguay where he will be an honored guest for the inauguration of that nation’s new president.
“In New York, President Ma will be whisked off as quickly and quietly as possible to an undisclosed hotel where folks into whose ears his arrival has been whispered will be allowed to pay him a stealth visit,” USA Today said.
The newspaper emphasized that there would be no press conference and not even a press release on Ma’s visit.
The officials at the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New York, when queried, “simply raise a single finger to their lips,” the newspaper said.
On his return trip, Ma will “repeat the same stealth-style visit” during an overnight stopover in Los Angeles.
The paper says the reason for the great difference in treatment between Vietnam and Taiwan is that “China would not be happy” if Ma was shown a red carpet.
“Beijing doesn’t regard Taiwan as a country, its president as worthy of a state visit,” USA Today said.
“Even a trip to Washington is far too fraught with potential political symbolism,” it said.
“China is trying gamely to ease Taiwan ever so closely into a bear-hug as just another province,” the newspaper said. “And it seems to be working. Earlier this year, again with little fanfare, the mainland [China] currency, the renminbi, became freely convertible with the New Taiwan Dollar, easing the travels of Chinese and Taiwanese tourists and businessmen who shuttle with increasing frequency between the two territories.”
The newspaper said that “this is in sharp contrast” to the tense standoffs that punctuated the depths of the Cold War when the Taiwan Strait was “bristling with armaments.”
It says that Taiwan has managed to maintain “a semblance of independence,” but that China is increasingly “calling the tune.”
Written by David Andelman, the editor of World Policy Journal, the op-ed concludes: “For the moment, everyone is tiptoeing on eggshells.
“There are still those who see Taiwan as the last tiny corner of freedom in a Chinese communist universe. But Taiwan’s president in Washington? One step too far. Taiwan as the last tiny corner of freedom in a Chinese communist universe. But Taiwan’s president in Washington? One step too far,” it says.
Hong Kong singer Eason Chan’s (陳奕迅) concerts in Kaohsiung this weekend have been postponed after he was diagnosed with Covid-19 this morning, the organizer said today. Chan’s “FEAR and DREAMS” concert which was scheduled to be held in the coming three days at the Kaohsiung Arena would be rescheduled to May 29, 30 and 31, while the three shows scheduled over the next weekend, from May 23 to 25, would be held as usual, Universal Music said in a statement. Ticket holders can apply for a full refund or attend the postponed concerts with the same seating, the organizer said. Refund arrangements would
Taiwanese indie band Sunset Rollercoaster and South Korean outfit Hyukoh collectively received the most nominations at this year’s Golden Melody Awards, earning a total of seven nods from the jury on Wednesday. The bands collaborated on their 2024 album AAA, which received nominations for best band, best album producer, best album design and best vocal album recording. “Young Man,” a single from the album, earned nominations for song of the year and best music video, while another track, “Antenna,” also received a best music video nomination. Late Hong Kong-American singer Khalil Fong (方大同) was named the jury award winner for his 2024 album
Palauan President Surangel Whipps Jr arrived in Taiwan last night to kick off his first visit to the country since beginning his second term earlier this year. After arriving at Taoyuan International Airport at around 6:30 pm, Whipps and his delegation were welcomed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍). Speaking to gathered media, the Palauan leader said he was excited and honored to be back in Taiwan on his first state visit to Taiwan since he was sworn in this January. Among those traveling with Whipps is Minister of State Gustav N. Aitaro, Public Infrastructure
RESOLUTIONS DEBATE: Taiwan’s allies said that UN and WHA resolutions cited by China and other nations ‘do not determine Taiwan’s participation in WHO activities’ A proposal to invite Taiwan to this year’s World Health Assembly (WHA) was rejected on Monday, resulting in Taipei’s absence from the annual meeting for a ninth consecutive year, although partners spoke up for Taiwan’s participation at the first day of the meeting. The first agenda item after the opening was a “two-on-two debate” on a proposal to invite Taiwan to participate at the WHA as an observer. Similar to previous years, two countries made statements in favor of the proposal, while two others expressed their opposition. Philippine Secretary of Health Teodoro Herbosa, president of the 78th WHA, accepted the WHA General Committee’s
RSS