Premier Frank Hsieh (謝長廷) said yesterday that Beijing should not impose any prerequisites for reopening negotiations between Taiwan and China.
Hsieh made the remarks while answering questions from People First Party (PFP) Legislator Lee Ching-an (李慶安), who enquired during a question-and-answer session at the legislature about the government's stance on the impending enactment of Beijing's "anti-secession" law, which observers say could be aimed at curbing Taiwan independence.
Lee suggested the government recognize the "1992 consensus" in its dealings with China.
Hsieh called on Beijing to put aside its sovereignty disputes with Taiwan and forswear any other preconditions to display a greater degree of goodwill for rekindling bilateral negotiations on the grounds that the "bigger should compromise more."
Stressing that peace is the cornerstone of cross-strait relations, he said that the government is willing to start two-way talks on direct cargo services based on parity and dignity and even those on direct trade, passenger transport and postal links based on the pattern of the recent charter flights during the Lunar New Year holidays.
Responding to a question from Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Legislator Su Chi (蘇起) about whether President Chen Shui-bian's (
While fielding questions from KMT Legislator John Chiang (蔣孝嚴) on opening regular cross-strait links, Hsieh also vowed to strive for Taiwan's co-existence with China at a time when the National People's Congress in Beijing is anticipated to finish the "anti-secession" legislation next week.
The premier pledged not to give up the goal no matter how difficult the situation.
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.
Taipei and Kaohsiung have extended an open invitation to Japanese pop star Ayumi Hamasaki after Chinese authorities abruptly canceled her scheduled concert in Shanghai. Hamasaki, 47, had been slated to perform on Saturday before organizers pulled the show at the last minute, citing “force majeure,” a move widely viewed as retaliation for Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s recent remark that a Chinese attack on Taiwan could draw a military response from Tokyo. Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安) yesterday said the city “very much welcomes” Hamasaki’s return and would continue to “surprise” her. Hamasaki, who has a large global fan base, including
‘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
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)
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