Sat, Apr 27, 2024 page2

• Fu Kun-chi leads KMT delegation to China

  ‘PEACE-THAWING’: The DPP warned the delegation ‘not to step on the red lines of democracy and national security,’ and referenced parts of the Anti-infiltration Act

  • By Shih Hsiao-kuang and Jake Chung / Staff reporter, with staff writer and CNA
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  Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) caucus whip Fu Kun-chi yesterday led a delegation of 17 KMT lawmakers to Beijing for a three-day visit, aiming to foster peace and prosperity across the Taiwan Strait.

  The trip represents the voice of Taiwanese and the largest party in the legislature, Fu said before departing from Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport.

  “The peace-thawing journey aims to restore the interrupted cross-strait relations of the past eight years. Peace is needed across the Taiwan Strait,” he said.

  

  Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) caucus whip Fu Kun-chi, center, speaks to reporters at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport yesterday.

  Photo: Chu Pei-hsiung, Taipei Times

  In addition to easing cross-strait tensions, the visit seeks to enhance two-way tourism and facilitate exports of agricultural and fishery products to China, he said.

  The delegation would also seek to help revitalize Hualien County’s economy after it was struck by a quake measuring magnitude 7.2 on the Richter scale earlier this month, Fu said.

  China’s Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) said that the lawmakers would visit a factory of Xiaomi Auto, a Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer headquartered in Beijing, and a driverless vehicle demonstration park today.

  Sources in Beijing said that the delegation is to attend a meeting today with Chinese officials, potentially including TAO Director Song Tao (宋濤) or Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference chairman Wang Huning (王滬寧).

  Tomorrow, the delegation is to participate in activities held by the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China, and the Chinese Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the sources said.

  The delegation would hold discussions with young Taiwanese and Taiwanese business representatives later that day, the sources said.

  The trip is being closely watched ahead of president-elect William Lai’s (賴清德) inauguration on May 20, with the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) warning the delegation “not to step on the red lines of democracy and national security,” with particular reference to the provisions of the Anti-infiltration Act (反滲透法).

  The DPP also called on Chinese authorities to conduct exchanges with Taiwan’s democratically elected and legitimate government instead of “engaging in private negotiations with the opposition party under political preconditions.”

  KMT Chairman Eric Chu (朱立倫) on Thursday said that the DPP’s misguided cross-strait policies are the source of increased cross-strait and regional tensions.

  This is not a situation that Taiwan’s international partners and neighbors want to see, Chu said, adding that the KMT has repeatedly urged the DPP government to resume dialogue across the Strait.

  “Maintaining the status quo is the majority consensus of the Taiwanese public,” he said.

  Chu made the remarks in a meeting with a Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) delegation, during which they exchanged opinions on issues concerning cross-strait relations, national security and rising tensions in the region.

  The KMT will continue to adhere to the two “Ds” — Defense and Dialogue — as the foundation of its cross-strait policy, which seeks to encourage dialogue while enhancing Taiwan’s national defense, he said.

  The DPP’s “nuclear zero by 2025” policy is directly to blame for introducing risks that might endanger Taiwan’s high-technology and industrial sectors, he added, citing the recent power outages in Taoyuan as an example.

  The KMT will stand with international partners with whom Taiwan shares like-minded values to bring stability and peace to the Taiwan Strait and the Indo-Pacific region, he said.

  Thanking the Washington-based CSIS for its long-standing support of Taiwan, Chu said that the KMT appreciated the institute’s abiding friendship with the party.

  The KMT has always followed the policy of “showing an affinity toward the US, pursuing friendship with Japan and making peace with China,” he added.
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