Few Taiwanese would fully accept the so-called “1992 consensus” as Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) defined it last week, Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) said yesterday.
Xi in a speech on Wednesday last week called for unification under the “one country, two systems” formula and defined the “1992 consensus” as being based on the “one China” principle.
Xi’s definition of the “1992 consensus” contrasted with that provided over the years by the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT), which has maintained that it allows room for Taiwan to interpret “China” as being the Republic of China (ROC).
Photo: Chien Jung-fong, Taipei Times
Asked about the different definitions of the “1992 consensus,” Ko said: “Then it means that there is no consensus.”
“The mainland recently announced its version of what the ‘1992 consensus’ means, but after Taiwanese learned about it, I think very few people would be willing to fully accept it,” he said.
Asked whether he supports the “four musts” put forward by Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) as conditions for cross-strait ties, Ko said his support is not important.
The government should try to act on its proposals and let the public decide whether it supports them, Ko said.
Tsai in a speech said that China must face the reality of the existence of the ROC; must respect the commitment of 23 million Taiwanese to freedom and democracy; and must handle cross-strait differences peacefully, on a basis of equality; and governments or government-authorized agencies must carry out cross-strait negotiations.
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.
A small number of Taiwanese this year lost their citizenship rights after traveling in China and obtaining a one-time Chinese passport to cross the border into Russia, a source said today. The people signed up through Chinese travel agencies for tours of neighboring Russia with companies claiming they could obtain Russian visas and fast-track border clearance, the source said on condition of anonymity. The travelers were actually issued one-time-use Chinese passports, they said. Taiwanese are prohibited from holding a Chinese passport or household registration. If found to have a Chinese ID, they may lose their resident status under Article 9-1
‘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