A possible trial run of the "small three links" will only come about if the governments of China and Taiwan both approve the trip, KMT lawmaker Chen Ching-pao (
"We would't bother with the trip if either of the two countries' authorities are against the initiative. ? And that is exactly the purpose of this journey: to better ascertain the attitude of the Chinese government concerning the `small three links'" (小三通) by testing the waters before the plan is officially launched," Chen, a legislator from Kinmen (金門), told the Taipei Times.
From Taiwan's perspective, Chen said he was very optimistic about the trip. He was unwilling to say that the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) had officially given the nod to his proposal, but noted that the crux of the problem was contingent mostly upon the attitude of China.
"We understand it is a pressing issue, with only a few days left before the trip is to take place, and we have been in close contact with the Xiamen (
The trial trip planned to take place between Dec. 28 and Dec. 30 and will go between Liaoluo Harbor (料羅) on Kinmen and Heping Harbor (和平) in Xiamen. In an effort to downplay the sensitive event, Chen said no national flag would be hung on the vessel.
"Nearly 80 people -- consisting of roughly 20 legislators, 10 aides to legislators, 40 journalists and some local representatives of Kinmen island -- have signed up to join the trip," Chen said. "The group will inspect the equipment at Xiamen Harbor, visit the Xiamen governor and exchange opinions with scholars from Xiamen University at a symposium."
Taiwan unilaterally announced on Dec. 13 that it will open direct postal, transportation and trade links between Taiwan's outlying island groups of Kinmen and Matsu (
However, lawmakers have expressed concern in light of China's lukewarm response.
Lawmakers have warned that Taiwan would only embarrass itself if it unilaterally lifted the ban on Chinese traveling without crystal-clear consent from China.
When questioned by the media about whether the experimental trip will be in violation of the law on the grounds that the ban will not be formally eased until Jan. 1, Mainland Affairs Council Vice Chairman Chen Ming-tong (陳明通) conceded that the matter deserved more discussion.
The trip will take place during the lapse period of the law, he pointed out, adding that the council would allow more leniency on the affair.
"I don't think it is necessary for the public to overly interpret the issue because we respect the thoughts of lawmakers and we know the idea will facilitate communication between Taiwan and China," the MAC official said.
Taiwan yesterday denied Chinese allegations that its military was behind a cyberattack on a technology company in Guangzhou, after city authorities issued warrants for 20 suspects. The Guangzhou Municipal Public Security Bureau earlier yesterday issued warrants for 20 people it identified as members of the Information, Communications and Electronic Force Command (ICEFCOM). The bureau alleged they were behind a May 20 cyberattack targeting the backend system of a self-service facility at the company. “ICEFCOM, under Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party, directed the illegal attack,” the warrant says. The bureau placed a bounty of 10,000 yuan (US$1,392) on each of the 20 people named in
The High Court yesterday found a New Taipei City woman guilty of charges related to helping Beijing secure surrender agreements from military service members. Lee Huei-hsin (李慧馨) was sentenced to six years and eight months in prison for breaching the National Security Act (國家安全法), making illegal compacts with government employees and bribery, the court said. The verdict is final. Lee, the manager of a temple in the city’s Lujhou District (蘆洲), was accused of arranging for eight service members to make surrender pledges to the Chinese People’s Liberation Army in exchange for money, the court said. The pledges, which required them to provide identification
’DISTORTION’: Beijing’s assertion that the US agreed with its position on Taiwan is a recurring tactic it uses to falsely reinforce its sovereignty claims, MOFA said The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) yesterday said Chinese state media deliberately distorted Taiwan’s sovereign status, following reports that US President Donald Trump agreed to uphold the “one China” policy in a phone call with Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平). During the more than one-hour-long call, Xi urged Trump to retreat from trade measures that roiled the global economy and cautioned him against threatening steps on Taiwan, a Chinese government summary of the call said. China’s official Xinhua news agency quoted Xi as saying that the US should handle the Taiwan issue cautiously and avoid the two countries being drawn into dangerous
Nine retired generals from Taiwan, Japan and the US have been invited to participate in a tabletop exercise hosted by the Taipei School of Economics and Political Science Foundation tomorrow and Wednesday that simulates a potential Chinese invasion of Taiwan in 2030, the foundation said yesterday. The five retired Taiwanese generals would include retired admiral Lee Hsi-min (李喜明), joined by retired US Navy admiral Michael Mullen and former chief of staff of the Japan Self-Defense Forces general Shigeru Iwasaki, it said. The simulation aims to offer strategic insights into regional security and peace in the Taiwan Strait, it added. Foundation chair Huang Huang-hsiung
RSS