An independent media watchdog yesterday urged Taiwan to reconsider a temporary ban on journalists from Chinese two media organizations, while the government denied that it was violating press freedom. Tentative plans for other Chinese media to send correspondents to Taiwan were already in the works, government officials said.
Two reporters, one from the Communist Party's official mouthpiece, the People's Daily, and one from the Xinhua News Agency were kicked out of Taiwan on Thursday after the government discontinued authorization allowing them to be stationed in Taipei. The decision follows Beijing's enactment of its "Anti-Secession" Law last month, which authorizes an attack on Taiwan should it declare formal independence.
No excuse
"Even though the People's Republic of China is certainly no model of press freedom, using censorship against its media makes no sense," the Paris-based Reporters Without Borders said on its Web site.
"We believe that the right to news and information should in no circumstances be compromised because of political differences," the statement said.
Taiwan normally bars Chinese from working in the country because of espionage fears, but the People's Daily and Xinhua have had reporters based in Taiwan since 2001.
In response, the Mainland Affairs Council -- the government agency responsible for the media ban -- was quick to invite Reporters Without Borders to visit Taiwan and observe first-hand the state of press freedom in the country.
Courting others
While speaking with reporters yesterday, council Vice Chairman You Ying-lung (游盈隆) invited the media watchdog group to participate in the various press activities in Taiwan.
You defended its decision to temporarily ban the Xinhua and People's Daily reporters, noting that the council has been in contact with the Guangdong-based Nanfang Daily and a financial paper based in Shanghai regarding the possibility of posting correspondents in Taipei.
You also reiterated the council's call for China to lift an Internet ban on news sites based in Taiwan, saying it would be willing to reconsider its decision against Xinhua and the People's Daily, so long as Chinese authorities showed a willingness to reform its approach to reporting.
The council has said on several occasions accused Xinhua and the People's Daily misrepresenting facts and manipulating stories, to the detriment of cross-strait relations.
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)
RSS