Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) yesterday responded to comments by Sunflower movement leader Lin Fei-fan (林飛帆) that his handling of cross-strait relations could create an opening for Beijing’s infiltration of the nation, saying that he approached cross-strait issues “practically.”
Taiwan’s commitment to resisting China’s encroaching expansion is under challenge from within, Lin said in an article published in The Diplomat.
Beijing is trying to infiltrate Taiwanese politics in the run-up to Nov. 24’s nine-in-one elections, Lin said, and singled out Ko’s stance on cross-strait relations as an area of concern.
He said China has continually sought to penetrate Taiwan’s political system by aligning with pro-Beijing politicians and political forces, such as those in the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT), the majority of whom adhere to the so-called “1992 consensus.”
The “1992 consensus” — a term former Mainland Affairs Council chairman Su Chi (蘇起) in 2006 admitted making up in 2000 — refers to a tacit understanding between the KMT and the Chinese government that both sides acknowledge there is “one China,” with each side having its own interpretation of what “China” means.
While the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) government has refused to accept the “1992 consensus,” Ko’s stance of embracing the concept of Taiwan and China being “one family” and his popularity among Chinese political figures inject uncertainty into Taiwan’s efforts to counter China’s aggression, Lin said.
Asked about the article, Ko said that Taiwan and China are “mutually engaged in attack and defense,” and said he would listen to and respect different opinions on cross-strait ties.
“I think we have a better social system than Mainland China, because Taiwan is a democratic society that allows diversity and openness, and everyone is entitled to express their opinion,” he said.
Ko criticized “abolishing military conscription and cutting national defense budgets while calling for independence,” without specifying the target of his criticism.
DPP Taipei mayoral candidate Pasuya Yao (姚文智) praised Lin’s remarks, saying that Ko had “stepped into China’s trap of accepting its ‘one China’ principle.”
“We have continuously reminded the public that it [the ‘one family’ rhetoric] is just another way it [Beijing] rephrases its ‘one China’ principle, just like the ‘1992 consensus,’” he said. “Its goal is [to achieve] its nationalistic dream of unification.”
Recent actions by China — such as threatening to boycott Taiwan-based bakery cafe chain 85°C because a California outlet gave President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) a gift bag during her visit last month, issuing new residency permit cards for Taiwanese and spreading fake news online — show that it is using various means to intimidate Taiwanese and penetrate Taiwanese society, adding that Lin’s article serves as a reminder.
An exhibition demonstrating the rejuvenation of the indigenous Kuskus Village in Pingtung County’s Mudan Township (牡丹) opened at the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency’s conservation station in Taipei on Thursday. Agency Director-General Lin Hwa-ching (林華慶) said they have been promoting the use and development of forestry resources to local indigenous residents for eight years to drive regional revitalization. While modern conservation approaches mostly stem from western scientific research, eco-friendly knowledge and skills passed down through generations of indigenous people, who have lived in Taiwan for centuries, could be more suitable for the environment, he said. The agency’s Pingtung branch Director-General Yang Jui-fen (楊瑞芬)
Restaurants in New Taipei City, Hsinchu City and Hsinchu County are to be included in the Michelin Guide’s review for the first time this year, alongside existing entries from Taipei, Taichung, Tainan and Kaohsiung, the France-based culinary publication said yesterday. This year’s edition of the Michelin Guide Taiwan is to be unveiled on Aug. 19 in Taipei. In addition to the coveted star ratings, Michelin Taiwan would announce its “Bib Gourmand” selections — a distinction awarded to establishments offering high-quality food at moderate prices — on Aug. 12. This year’s Bib Gourmand list would also feature restaurants in New Taipei City, Hsinchu
Rallies supporting recall efforts targeting Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) lawmakers as well as a rally organized by the KMT opposing the recall campaigns are to take place in Taipei today. Traffic controls were in place on Taipei City Hall Road starting from 10pm last night, and would be in place on Jinan Road Sec 1 from 8am today, police said. Recall campaign groups in Taipei and New Taipei City advocating the recall of KMT legislators, along with the “Safeguard Taiwan Anti-Communist Alliance” have announced plans for motorcycle parades and public rallies in both cities today. Permission has been granted for campaigners to hold
M1A2T ABRAMS TANKS: Thirty-eight of the 108 armored vehicles were delivered in December last year, with the rest to be delivered between later this year and next year The military is to live stream a round of live-fire training sessions on Thursday featuring its newly delivered M1A2T Abrams tanks, allowing the public to witness the training results firsthand, the Ministry of National Defense said. Based on the ministry’s plan, the live-fire training session, scheduled to take place at an army tank training ground in the Kengzihkou (坑子口) area of Hsinchu County, is to feature the US-made armored vehicles firing their 120mm smoothbore guns at moving and stationary targets, while stationary or in motion. At least one senior government official is expected to preside over the round of training sessions, per
RSS