The legislature yesterday united to issue a joint resolution urging China to rethink its proposed "anti-secession" law, while the Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU) and Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) legislative caucuses called on people to demonstrate their disapproval of the law in rallies today.
"Peaceful development is not just a common value shared by the international community but is also the common wish of people on either side of the [Taiwan] Strait," the resolution reads. "Given that Beijing is drafting its `anti-secession' law, we must solemnly state this: Should the contents of the proposed law go against the rights of the Taiwanese people, it will arouse strong opposition ... Beijing should think twice before acting."
The four-point statement issued by the legislature was the result of cross-party negotiations yesterday afternoon.
In addition to its call to China to reconsider passing the bill, the statement also affirmed that the Republic of China has been an independent country since its founding and that any actions downplaying its status are a departure from the consensus of the Taiwanese people and the international community. Furthermore, the resolution also stated that given the friendly atmosphere signified by the recent Lunar New Year cross-strait charter flights, both China and Taiwan should open mutually-beneficial negotiations and included a promise that governing and opposition parties here will push through policies to help further cross-strait peace.
Speaking about the legislature's resolution yesterday morning, Premier Frank Hsieh (
"I hope that China does not misjudge the situation and make a decision that will harm the stability of the Taiwan Strait," Hsieh said.
Apart from uniting the legislature against it yesterday, the anti-secession law also yesterday mended some fences between the DPP and its ally the TSU.
The TSU recently expressed its sense of betrayal and discontent with the DPP because of President Chen Shui-bian's (陳水扁) recent meeting with opposition party People First Party (PFP) Chairman James Soong (宋楚瑜). The TSU has also called for disillusioned DPP members to join its ranks, a move which has attracted DPP enmity.
But yesterday the two parties held a joint press conference urging the public to attend events in Kaohsiung and Taipei tomorrow to express their disapproval of the Chinese law. The TSU will be holding an "anti-annexation" parade in Kaohsiung tomorrow afternoon, the party said yesterday, while the DPP will hold a "Defend Taiwan, Oppose Annexation" rally.
Speaking on the steps of the legislature yesterday morning, TSU Legislator Lo Chih-ming (羅志明) urged both pan-blue and pan-green camp supporters and leaders to attend the rallies.
"We need to resolve differences and opposition and speak out against China's draft anti-secession law," Lo said, adding that he hopes that Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairman Lien Chan (連戰) and People First Party (PFP) Chairman James Soong (宋楚瑜) will attend tomorrow's events.
But the KMT rejected the TSU's and DPP's invitation yesterday, saying that while the party opposes the anti-secession law, it will not be attending the rallies.
Also see stories:
PROCEDURE: Although there is already a cross-strait agreement in place for the extradition of criminals, ample notice is meant to be given to the other side first Ten Taiwanese who were involved in fraud-related crimes in China were extradited back to Taiwan via Kinmen County on Wednesday, four of whom are convicted fraudsters in Taiwan. The 10 people arrived via a ferry operating between Xiamen and Kinmen, also known as the “small three links.” The Kinmen County Prosecutors’ Office yesterday said that four of the 10 extradited people were convicted in Taiwan for committing fraud and contravening the Money Laundering Control Act (洗錢防制法), and were on the wanted list. They were immediately arrested upon arrival and sent to Kinmen Prison to serve their sentences following brief questioning, the office said.
‘REGRETTABLE’: Travelers reported that Seoul’s online arrival card system lists Taiwan as ‘China (Taiwan),’ the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said The Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday urged South Korea to correct the way Taiwan is listed in its newly launched e-Arrival card system, saying the current designation downgrades the nation’s status. South Korea rolled out the online system on Feb. 24 to gradually replace paper arrival cards, which it plans to phase out by next year. Travelers must complete the electronic form up to 72 hours before entering the country. The ministry said it has received multiple complaints from Taiwanese travelers saying that the system lists Taiwan as “China (Taiwan)” in dropdown menus for both “place of departure” and “next
A small number of Taiwanese this year lost their citizenship rights after traveling in China and obtaining a one-time Chinese passport to cross the border into Russia, a source said today. The people signed up through Chinese travel agencies for tours of neighboring Russia with companies claiming they could obtain Russian visas and fast-track border clearance, the source said on condition of anonymity. The travelers were actually issued one-time-use Chinese passports, they said. Taiwanese are prohibited from holding a Chinese passport or household registration. If found to have a Chinese ID, they may lose their resident status under Article 9-1
VIGILANT: Enterovirus activity remains in the epidemic phase, with the CDC urging caregivers of infected children to be on the lookout for signs of severe illness Influenza activity is rising in neighboring countries, and, with temperatures forecast to drop this week, flu cases are expected to increase in the next two weeks, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said yesterday. Hospitals reported 87,162 visits for flu-like illnesses between Nov. 23 and Saturday, which remained about the same level as the previous week, but nine deaths and 24 cases with serious flu complications were also confirmed last week, CDC Epidemic Intelligence Center Director Guo Hung-wei (郭宏偉) said. Flu activity reached a peak in late September before declining for eight consecutive weeks, CDC Deputy Director-General and spokesman Lin Min-cheng (林明誠)
RSS