The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) should not undermine cross-strait exchanges by having a “martial law” mentality, Ma Ying-jeou Foundation chief executive Hsiao Hsu-tsen (蕭旭岑) said today as a visiting Chinese student delegation left Taiwan this morning.
Hsiao was referring to comments made by MAC Minister Chiu Chui-cheng (邱垂正) yesterday that the government intends to pursue administrative action against the Ma Ying-jeou Foundation due to a student member of the delegation, whose visit was facilitated by the foundation, using the term “China, Taipei” to congratulate Taiwan for winning the WBSC Premier12 baseball tournament.
The term used by the student is different from the name Taiwan competed under in the tournament and other international sporting competitions — “Chinese Taipei.”
Photo: Chu Pei-hsiung, Taipei Times
Chiu said yesterday that the student could face stricter assessments when applying to visit Taiwan in the future, and be barred from entry for one to five years.
As for the foundation, it could be restricted from inviting other Chinese groups for six months to five years, depending on the severity of the case, he added.
Hsiao said the 20-year-old female student had only used a “phrase that she normally uses,” and was not giving a “political speech.”
If the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) government is to ban future Chinese groups from coming to Taiwan, this would be tantamount to “bullying” and “martial law,” Hsiao said.
During a banquet held for the delegation last night, every Chinese student thanked Taiwan and described Taiwanese as kind, friendly and welcoming, he said.
This is why we promote cross-strait exchanges, Hsiao added.
“China, Taipei” is not a “commonly used phrase” but a “legal framework” designed by China, DPP Legislator Puma Shen (沈伯洋) wrote on Facebook today.
“China, Taipei” means there is no room even for “Chinese Taipei” or “one China, with different interpretations,” Shen said in his post.
This would signify that Taiwan belongs to China under this legal framework, he added.
“United front” activities, like this visit, are meant to be “nutrients” for China to fight a legal war internationally, he said.
Taiwanese media outlets and people who support these activities would also serve such a purpose, he said.
Palauan President Surangel Whipps Jr arrived in Taiwan last night to kick off his first visit to the country since beginning his second term earlier this year. After arriving at Taoyuan International Airport at around 6:30 pm, Whipps and his delegation were welcomed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍). Speaking to gathered media, the Palauan leader said he was excited and honored to be back in Taiwan on his first state visit to Taiwan since he was sworn in this January. Among those traveling with Whipps is Minister of State Gustav N. Aitaro, Public Infrastructure
President William Lai (賴清德) yesterday thanked Palau for its continued support of Taiwan's international participation, as Taipei was once again excluded from the World Health Assembly (WHA) currently taking place in Switzerland. "Palau has never stopped voicing support for Taiwan" in the UN General Assembly, the WHO and other UN-affiliated agencies, Lai said during a bilateral meeting with visiting Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. "We have been profoundly touched by these endorsements," Lai said, praising the Pacific island nation's firm support as "courageous." Lai's remarks came as Taiwan was excluded for the ninth consecutive year from the WHA, which is being held in
RESOLUTIONS DEBATE: Taiwan’s allies said that UN and WHA resolutions cited by China and other nations ‘do not determine Taiwan’s participation in WHO activities’ A proposal to invite Taiwan to this year’s World Health Assembly (WHA) was rejected on Monday, resulting in Taipei’s absence from the annual meeting for a ninth consecutive year, although partners spoke up for Taiwan’s participation at the first day of the meeting. The first agenda item after the opening was a “two-on-two debate” on a proposal to invite Taiwan to participate at the WHA as an observer. Similar to previous years, two countries made statements in favor of the proposal, while two others expressed their opposition. Philippine Secretary of Health Teodoro Herbosa, president of the 78th WHA, accepted the WHA General Committee’s
At least three people died and more than a dozen were injured yesterday afternoon when a vehicle struck a group of pedestrians in New Taipei City’s Sansia District (三峽). The incident happened at about 4pm when a car rammed into pedestrians at an intersection near Bei Da Elementary School. Witnesses said the sedan, being driven at a high speed, ran a red light, knocking scooters out of the way and hitting students crossing the road before careening into a median near the intersection of Guocheng and Guoguang streets. The incident resulted in three deaths and 13 injuries, including the driver, a 78-year-old man