The Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) government’s pro-China policies have helped boost China’s confidence in bringing Taiwan under its control, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) said yesterday.
DPP Spokesman Tsai Chi-chang (蔡其昌) made the comment in response to an impassioned speech delivered by China’s Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait (ARATS) Chairman Chen Yunlin (陳雲林) on Friday at an event celebrating the 10th anniversary of the founding of the group Promotion of Peaceful Reunification of China.
In a speech dotted with “united front” (統戰) rhetoric, Chen said Taiwanese independence “runs counter to the common interests of compatriots from both sides of the Strait.”
Alluding to the DPP’s defeat in the 2008 presidential election, Chen said following a joint effort by compatriots from overseas and on both sides of the Strait, Taiwanese independence suffered a setback in March 2008 that led to a change in the Taiwan situation.
Following the recently signed cross-strait Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA), Chen said “the cross-strait relationship is at a new historic point.”
“Both sides, via a common political stance that opposes Taiwanese independence and insistence on the ‘1992 consensus,’ have overcome all kinds of hurdles and interference,” he said. “Mutual political trust has been strengthened and economic cooperation has deepened.”
Appearing emotional, Chen said that “it is our common dream to actualize the motherland’s peaceful unification and revival of the great Chinese nation (中華民族). Let all overseas Chinese unite, hold on to our root, make known our spirit and make our dream come true.”
Lin yesterday said the conduct of President Ma Ying-jeou’s (馬英九) administration encouraged China to harbor such a confident attitude toward unification. Ma needs to explain whether he agrees with Chen’s remarks, Lin said.
Ma has on several occasions pledged the “three noes,” saying he would uphold them as the guideline for his cross-strait policy. The “three noes” refer to no discussion of unification with Beijing during his term, no pursuit or support of de jure Taiwanese independence and no use of military force to resolve the Taiwan issue.
The Taiwanese passport ranked 33rd in a global listing of passports by convenience this month, rising three places from last month’s ranking, but matching its position in January last year. The Henley Passport Index, an international ranking of passports by the number of designations its holder can travel to without a visa, showed that the Taiwan passport enables holders to travel to 139 countries and territories without a visa. Singapore’s passport was ranked the most powerful with visa-free access to 192 destinations out of 227, according to the index published on Tuesday by UK-based migration investment consultancy firm Henley and Partners. Japan’s and
NATIONAL SECURITY THREAT: An official said that Guan Guan’s comments had gone beyond the threshold of free speech, as she advocated for the destruction of the ROC China-born media influencer Guan Guan’s (關關) residency permit has been revoked for repeatedly posting pro-China content that threatens national security, the National Immigration Agency said yesterday. Guan Guan has said many controversial things in her videos posted to Douyin (抖音), including “the red flag will soon be painted all over Taiwan” and “Taiwan is an inseparable part of China,” while expressing hope for expedited “reunification.” The agency received multiple reports alleging that Guan Guan had advocated for armed reunification last year. After investigating, the agency last month issued a notice requiring her to appear and account for her actions. Guan Guan appeared as required,
Japan and the Philippines yesterday signed a defense pact that would allow the tax-free provision of ammunition, fuel, food and other necessities when their forces stage joint training to boost deterrence against China’s growing aggression in the region and to bolster their preparation for natural disasters. Japan has faced increasing political, trade and security tensions with China, which was angered by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s remark that a Chinese attack on Taiwan would be a survival-threatening situation for Japan, triggering a military response. Japan and the Philippines have also had separate territorial conflicts with Beijing in the East and South China
A strong cold air mass is expected to arrive tonight, bringing a change in weather and a drop in temperature, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said. The coldest time would be early on Thursday morning, with temperatures in some areas dipping as low as 8°C, it said. Daytime highs yesterday were 22°C to 24°C in northern and eastern Taiwan, and about 25°C to 28°C in the central and southern regions, it said. However, nighttime lows would dip to about 15°C to 16°C in central and northern Taiwan as well as the northeast, and 17°C to 19°C elsewhere, it said. Tropical Storm Nokaen, currently
RSS