Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Chairman Yu Shyi-kun obtained a visa to visit Canada yesterday after the party criticized the Canadian Trade Office in Taipei on Tuesday for rejecting his initial application, saying Yu's application had been rejected because of pressure from China.
When approached by reporters yesterday morning after a meeting with Rosaline Kwan, acting representative of the office, Yu said Kwan had told him that the recent typhoons may have slowed the visa process, yet the visa application had not only been delayed but also eventually rejected.
"We all know that China interfered," Yu said, without providing evidence.
PHOTO: CHIEN JUNG-FONG, TAIPEI TIMES
DPP Culture and Information Department Director Super Meng (
The party was not informed of the office's change of heart and decision to issue Yu a visa until 9am yesterday, Meng said.
The office's Web site states that visa applicants can usually collect their passports and visas one day after filing an application.
When asked for comment, Sylvia Yan (
Meng, however, said the delay showed that China regards Yu as a "prime enemy" because China interferes each time Yu plans trips abroad.
Yu was denied a visa by Thailand and had his visa to Vietnam canceled last month when he planned a Southeast Asian tour. Only the Philippines allowed him to visit.
Yu showed the media his canceled Vietnamese visa and said that China considered him an "eyesore" because he advocates changing the nation's title and writing a new constitution.
Yu was scheduled to fly to Toronto today.
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