A lawmaker yesterday proposed a trial voyage to China before the "small three links" (
With only three weeks remaining before the opening of direct trade, transportation and communication ties between Kinmen and Matsu and Xiamen and Fuzhou respectively, lawmakers held a press conference at the legislature yesterday to express their concern about a lack of response from Chinese authorities over the matter.
"Taiwan has been carried away with its one-sided enthusiasm. We don't know what will happen if our ships arrive there on Jan. 1 if [the Chinese government] continues to remain silent," said Chen Ching-pao (
"I hope the `small three links' will open a new and better chapter in cross-strait relations, instead of creating more tension," he said.
Citing his own experience, Chen said he led a medical group to Xiamen in November to pave the way for the opening of the links.
"Though our team was received by the Xiamen authorities, they were unwilling to provide any concrete measures regarding medical assistance in case of an emergency," he said.
Chen said that Mainland Affairs Council Chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen (
The experimental trip is tentatively scheduled to take place between Dec. 25 and Dec. 27, and will go between Liaoluo Harbor (料羅) on Kinmen and Heping Harbor (和平) in Xiamen, Chen said.
"If and how the test voyage will take place will hinge upon China's response," he noted.
While preparations have been under way in Taiwan for the opening of the "small three links," China has so far not ordered the authorities in Fujian Province to take reciprocal measures.
The only message conveyed to Taiwan fom China on the matter was from Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji (
Analysts have said that China's reluctance to communicate with Taiwan on the matter was because the mainland leadership does not want to appear to be softening its stance on the "one China" issue.
Beijing has continued to insist on its "one China" principle as a condition for any cross-strait dialogue.
The Ministry of the Interior (MOI) is to tighten rules for candidates running for public office, requiring them to declare that they do not hold a Chinese household registration or passport, and that they possess no other foreign citizenship. The requirement was set out in a draft amendment to the Enforcement Rules of the Public Officials Election and Recall Act (公職人員選舉罷免法 ) released by the ministry on Thursday. Under the proposal, candidates would need to make the declaration when submitting their registration forms, which would be published in the official election bulletin. The move follows the removal of several elected officials who were
The Republic of China (ROC) is celebrating its 114th Double Ten National Day today, featuring military parades and a variety of performances and speeches in front of the Presidential Office in Taipei. The Taiwan Taiko Association opened the celebrations with a 100-drummer performance, including young percussionists. As per tradition, an air force Mirage 2000 fighter jet flew over the Presidential Office as a part of the performance. The Honor Guards of the ROC and its marching band also heralded in a military parade. Students from Taichung's Shin Min High School then followed with a colorful performance using floral imagery to represent Taiwan's alternate name
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