China’s microblogging platforms have been inundated with comments posted by users envious of the recent decision to include Taiwan in the US Visa Waiver Program.
One Chinese microblogger described it as “the farthest distance in the world” when comparing the difference between the dark red passport of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and the dark green passport of the Republic of China (Taiwan).
Many took to social networking sites in order to post messages and vent their frustration, with the sentence “The farthest distance in the world… ” often being used to express their views on the matter.
On Chinese netizen wrote: “The farthest distance in the world is … that I celebrate National Day on Oct. 1 [in PRC], and you celebrate National Day on Oct. 10 [in the ROC.] The farthest distance in the world is … I take my dark red-colored passport and go through many difficulties to obtain a [US] visa while you take your dark green-colored passport and visit more than 120 countries with ease.”
“The farthest distance in the world is … we speak the same language, yet we have different ways to express our feelings and emotions, different ways to show happiness and sadness and lead different lives,” the netizen added.
Another Chinese microblogger responded by saying: “Now I have begun to like the red-white-and-blue ROC flag,” while yet another wrote: “What! Taiwanese people can go to the US without a visa! Now I want to emigrate to Taiwan!”
“PRC passports are regarded as one of the world’s ‘garbage passports.’ It has visa-free entry to less than 20 countries and is only ranked in front of Pakistan and Bangladesh. More importantly, those countries which have granted visa-free status to Chinese passport holders are not suitable for business, tourism, or visiting friends, they are only suited for ‘adventure traveling’ — These countries are either at war, or have cholera,” one comment said.
China has 172 diplomatic alliances worldwide, but fewer than 20 countries have granted visa-free privileges to Chinese passport holders.
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
Starting next month, people who signed up for the TPass 2.0 program can receive a 15 percent rebate for trips on mid to long-distance freeway buses or on buses headed to the east coast twice every month, the Highway Bureau said. Bureau Director-General Lin Fu-shan (林福山) said the government started TPass 2.0 to offer rebates to frequent riders of public transportation, or people who use city buses, highway buses, trains or MRTs at least 11 times per month. As of Nov. 12, 265,000 people have registered for TPass 2.0, and about 16.56 million trips between February and September qualified for
RSS