Former Straits Exchange Foundation secretary-general C.V. Chen (陳長文) yesterday praised Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je’s (柯文哲) performance during his visit to Shanghai last week, saying that Ko’s stance on cross-strait relations could “lubricate” developments in cross-strait relations.
In an article published in the Chinese-language China Times, Chen said that Ko made “four right moves” on his trip to China, the first being his ensuring the continuation of the annual Taipei-Shanghai forum.
The continuation of the event to promote cross-strait exchanges means that China and Taiwan have left open the “doors to promote goodwill” toward each other, Chen wrote.
In addition, Ko “did his homework” before the trip, established a good rapport with Chinese officials and did not make any gaffes, which Chen said was Ko’s most remarkable achievement, given his tendency to make indiscreet remarks.
These three points together represent the second right move by Ko, he said.
“With such high expectations built up ahead of the forum, Ko displayed a high level of self-restraint, which is the correct attitude. Hopefully, this kind of goodwill will continue to deepen,” he wrote.
The third right move by Ko was his “constructive” approach toward the furthering of cross-strait relations, he said.
“Since Ko is highly regarded among pan-green supporters, taking a constructive approach toward cross-strait relations helps to ease the anti-China sentiment in Taiwan,” Chen wrote.
Finally, Ko could lubricate the development of cross-strait relations if the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) wins the election next year, Chen wrote.
“With the DPP’s strong anti-China stance and the hostility it bears toward cross-strait exchanges, one cannot help but worry about the possibility of the DPP destroying the foundation for cross-strait exchanges,” he wrote.
Ko could be the “peacekeeper” of cross-strait ties, he wrote.
Ko chuckled yesterday when asked by reporters what his reaction was to Chen’s comments, saying: “Don’t give me so much stress.”
“The cross-strait relationship is the concern of leaders on either side of the Taiwan Strait. I merely provided some help. I will not be a key player,” Ko said.
In his at address at the opening ceremony of the Taipei-Shanghai forum on Tuesday last week, Ko expounded on his views on cross-strait relations, touting what he called the “2015 new standpoint,” which he said is built on “four reciprocal processes” and an understanding that both sides of the Taiwan Strait are “one family.”
Ko said that his stance on cross-strait relations and the forum can be summarized as “one family across the Strait” with four “reciprocal” actions: to know each other, to understand each other, to respect each other and to work with each other.
‘DENIAL DEFENSE’: The US would increase its military presence with uncrewed ships, and submarines, while boosting defense in the Indo-Pacific, a Pete Hegseth memo said The US is reorienting its military strategy to focus primarily on deterring a potential Chinese invasion of Taiwan, a memo signed by US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth showed. The memo also called on Taiwan to increase its defense spending. The document, known as the “Interim National Defense Strategic Guidance,” was distributed this month and detailed the national defense plans of US President Donald Trump’s administration, an article in the Washington Post said on Saturday. It outlines how the US can prepare for a potential war with China and defend itself from threats in the “near abroad,” including Greenland and the Panama
The High Prosecutors’ Office yesterday withdrew an appeal against the acquittal of a former bank manager 22 years after his death, marking Taiwan’s first instance of prosecutors rendering posthumous justice to a wrongfully convicted defendant. Chu Ching-en (諸慶恩) — formerly a manager at the Taipei branch of BNP Paribas — was in 1999 accused by Weng Mao-chung (翁茂鍾), then-president of Chia Her Industrial Co, of forging a request for a fixed deposit of US$10 million by I-Hwa Industrial Co, a subsidiary of Chia Her, which was used as collateral. Chu was ruled not guilty in the first trial, but was found guilty
A wild live dugong was found in Taiwan for the first time in 88 years, after it was accidentally caught by a fisher’s net on Tuesday in Yilan County’s Fenniaolin (粉鳥林). This is the first sighting of the species in Taiwan since 1937, having already been considered “extinct” in the country and considered as “vulnerable” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. A fisher surnamed Chen (陳) went to Fenniaolin to collect the fish in his netting, but instead caught a 3m long, 500kg dugong. The fisher released the animal back into the wild, not realizing it was an endangered species at
DEADLOCK: As the commission is unable to forum a quorum to review license renewal applications, the channel operators are not at fault and can air past their license date The National Communications Commission (NCC) yesterday said that the Public Television Service (PTS) and 36 other television and radio broadcasters could continue airing, despite the commission’s inability to meet a quorum to review their license renewal applications. The licenses of PTS and the other channels are set to expire between this month and June. The National Communications Commission Organization Act (國家通訊傳播委員會組織法) stipulates that the commission must meet the mandated quorum of four to hold a valid meeting. The seven-member commission currently has only three commissioners. “We have informed the channel operators of the progress we have made in reviewing their license renewal applications, and