Leaders of the Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU) caucus at the Legislative Yuan said yesterday that Japan's expression of concern over President Chen Shui-bian's (陳水扁) plan to hold a referendum is tantamount to interference in Taiwan's internal affairs and therefore declared Japanese envoy Katsuhisa Uchida persona non grata.
The TSU caucus leaders made the remarks at a press conference after Uchida, director of the Taipei Office of Japan's Interchange Association, visited Presidential Secretary-General Chiou I-jen (邱義仁) on Monday to convey the Japanese government's hope that Chen will handle the referendum issue carefully.
The Interchange Association is Japan's de facto embassy in Taiwan in the absence of formal diplomatic relations between the two countries.
The legislative leaders of the TSU said that the Japanese move is an indication of that country's fear of China.
Chen Cheng-lung (
Ho Ming-hau (
Meanwhile, Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Richard Shih (石瑞琦) said yesterday that Uchida's Monday visit to Chiou indicates that Japan is very concerned about the Taiwan Strait area's security and stability. He said Taiwan hopes to strengthen cooperation with Japan and improve substantive relations between the two countries.
Local media reported yesterday that Japan and the EU had added to the pressure on Chen by voicing concern about his plan to hold a controversial referendum, officials and newspapers said yesterday.
Uchida reportedly sent a letter to the Taiwanese government on Monday saying it was deeply worried about growing tensions between Taipei and Beijing.
"This was the first time the Japanese government has voiced its concern to Taipei about the Taiwan Strait situation since the two countries severed diplomatic ties" a local newspaper said.
The letter recommended that Chen abide by his pledge on coming to power in 2000 not to push for independence. It called on the two sides to resume talks and settle sovereignty disputes peacefully.
The newspaper said former Japanese prime minister Yoshiro Mori passed an identical message to Chen during his low-profile Taiwan trip last week. No officials from the Presidential Office were immediately available to comment.
The EU also voiced its concern in a strongly worded letter to Taipei, according to local medai. It added that Taiwan's representative to the EU had been told to report to the parliament next week.
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