Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) presidential candidate Eric Chu (朱立倫) yesterday unveiled a tentative plan to visit the US early next month, which he said would focus on cross-strait ties and US-Taiwan trade relations.
Chu made the statement during a television interview, one day after he said — following his meeting with American Institute in Taiwan Director Kin Moy — that his decision on whether to visit the US would be based on the schedule of his presidential campaign.
“Given that [the Central Election Commission] is to begin accepting official presidential candidate applications late next month, which roughly coincides with the Thanksgiving holidays, my visit to the US has been tentatively scheduled for the beginning or middle of next month,” Chu said.
Chu, who replaced Deputy Legislative Speaker Hung Hsiu-chu (洪秀柱) as the KMT’s presidential candidate on Saturday, said further information regarding his visit would be made public once both sides have worked out the details.
Due to the proximity of January’s presidential election, Chu — who is also KMT chairman and New Taipei City mayor — said he might not have the time to visit other nations before the ballot.
“Instead, I will communicate with officials in Japan, Southeast Asian nations and European countries via our representatives there or their representatives stationed here, so that they can better understand the KMT’s policies and my campaign objectives,” he said.
Chu’s upcoming US visit is bound to be compared with a 12-day landmark visit to six US cities made by Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) presidential candidate Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) in late May, with the rankings of the US officials the two candidates meet carefully parsed.
Chu said that as the cross-strait relationship is closely intertwined with peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region, it would be the focus of his discussions during his visit.
“The KMT has long-promoted policies conducive to cross-strait stability. Washington also agrees with the party’s use of the [so-called] ‘1992 consensus’ as the basis for maintaining peaceful development across the Taiwan Strait,” Chu said, adding that the future direction of cross-strait developments would also be deliberated.
The “1992 consensus,” a term former Mainland Affairs Council chairman Su Chi (蘇起) admitted making up in 2000, refers to a tacit understanding between the KMT and the Chinese government that both sides acknowledge there is “one China,” with each side having its own interpretation of what “China” means.
Aside from cross-strait relations, Chu said bilateral trade was also an integral part of US-Taiwan ties, with the latest round of Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) talks between the two sides on Oct. 1 touching on the issue of US pork imports and agricultural trade.
While the two nations have yet to reach a consensus on these issues, the US is believed to have confidence in Taiwan’s trade policies, Chu added.
Chu said his primary goals for the planned visit included pushing for a continuation of friendly Taiwan-US ties in various dimensions, including politics, economy and cultural exchanges.
“We also aim to reassure Washington that the KMT plans to continue being a peacemaker across the Taiwan Strait rather than a troublemaker,” he said.
Separately yesterday, Tsai said she would be happy to see anyone making a positive contribution toward Taiwan-US relations, regardless of their party affiliation.
“Diplomacy is something that we all will have to work hard on, regardless of party affiliation,” Tsai said. “The DPP has worked hard and communicated with different parties, the fruits of which can be shared by all, and I would be happy for Chu to take the trip based on the basis we have built.”
Asked if the Chu would receive a higher-status reception, Tsai said she would be happy if Chu could “open up more spaces.”
“It’s a good thing that, each time someone goes [to the US], we open up more space in Taiwan-US relations,” Tsai said.
Additional reporting by Loa Iok-sin
A magnitude 6.4 earthquake struck off the coast of Hualien County in eastern Taiwan at 7pm yesterday, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said. The epicenter of the temblor was at sea, about 69.9km south of Hualien County Hall, at a depth of 30.9km, it said. There were no immediate reports of damage resulting from the quake. The earthquake’s intensity, which gauges the actual effect of a temblor, was highest in Taitung County’s Changbin Township (長濱), where it measured 5 on Taiwan’s seven-tier intensity scale. The quake also measured an intensity of 4 in Hualien, Nantou, Chiayi, Yunlin, Changhua and Miaoli counties, as well as
Taiwan is to have nine extended holidays next year, led by a nine-day Lunar New Year break, the Cabinet announced yesterday. The nine-day Lunar New Year holiday next year matches the length of this year’s holiday, which featured six extended holidays. The increase in extended holidays is due to the Act on the Implementation of Commemorative and Festival Holidays (紀念日及節日實施條例), which was passed early last month with support from the opposition Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) and Taiwan People’s Party. Under the new act, the day before Lunar New Year’s Eve is also a national holiday, and Labor Day would no longer be limited
COMMITMENTS: The company had a relatively low renewable ratio at 56 percent and did not have any goal to achieve 100 percent renewable energy, the report said Pegatron Corp ranked the lowest among five major final assembly suppliers in progressing toward Apple Inc’s commitment to be 100 percent carbon neutral by 2030, a Greenpeace East Asia report said yesterday. While Apple has set the goal of using 100 percent renewable energy across its entire business, supply chain and product lifecycle by 2030, carbon emissions from electronics manufacturing are rising globally due to increased energy consumption, it said. Given that carbon emissions from its supply chain accounted for more than half of its total emissions last year, Greenpeace East Asia evaluated the green transition performance of Apple’s five largest final
Taiwan is to extend its visa-waiver program for Philippine passport holders for another year, starting on Aug. 1, Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) said on Friday. Lin made the announcement during a reception in Taipei marking the 127th anniversary of Philippine independence and the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) in Taiwan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. The decision reflected Taiwan’s commitment to deepening exchanges with the Philippines, the statement cited Lin as saying, adding that it was a key partner under the New Southbound Policy launched in 2016. Lin also expressed hope
RSS