The Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) confirmed yesterday that party Chairman Lien Chan (
"The KMT explained to the United States that peace is the basic principle underlying our position on cross-strait relations. The KMT does not advocate Taiwanese independence. [We] support the strengthening of cross-strait exchanges and this conforms with the American position," KMT spokesman Chang Jung-kung (
According to a report yesterday in the Chinese-language daily China Times, Paal met Lien at KMT headquarters after Lien presided over the weekly Central Standing Committee meeting.
Chang confirmed the China Times report with the Taipei Times yesterday and said Lien had made his position clear during the visit.
When asked if Paal expressed any concerns in regard to Lien's trip, Chang said the AIT had just wanted to "understand" the situation.
He said other US government representatives had been in contact with party officials on other occasions to learn more about the visit, which begins on Tuesday.
"The US hopes for cross-strait dialogue, and hopes that the governments of [China and Taiwan] can communicate. But before the governments can engage in dialogue, dialogue between other political figures will help bring peace and stability to the Taiwan Strait," Chang said.
Asked whether Paal presented any demands during the meeting, Chang said that the US was unlikely to demand anything from the KMT since the party was not in power.
Chang added that the KMT's China policy was enshrined in its official documents and that Lien and KMT officials accompanying him would abide by the law and not undercut the government's authority.
The KMT also issued a press statement late on Wednesday night saying it had noted the US government's reaction to Lien's visit and was glad the US had affirmed the trip.
The US had previously expressed cautious support for the pan-blue camp leaders' trips to China.
When asked about a phone call Lien is scheduled to make to President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) on Monday afternoon, Chang yesterday said the conversation would proceed naturally.
Asked the same question yesterday, Lien told reporters, "You help me think of what to say."
Lien will take two sets of books to give as gifts while in China. The first is A General History of Taiwan -- written in the 1920s by historian Lien Heng (連橫), Lien Chan's grandfather -- and Through Reform is Hope, a book Lien Chan wrote last year.
Lien will also hand out a memorandum detailing Lien's thoughts on the trip, which will take him to Nanjing, Beijing, Xian and Shanghai.
Tropical Storm Gaemi strengthened into a typhoon at 2pm yesterday, and could make landfall in Yilan County tomorrow, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said yesterday. The agency was scheduled to issue a sea warning at 11:30pm yesterday, and could issue a land warning later today. Gaemi was moving north-northwest at 4kph, carrying maximum sustained winds near its center of up to 118.8kph and gusts of 154.8kph. The circumference is forecast to reach eastern Taiwan tomorrow morning, with the center making landfall in Yilan County later that night before departing from the north coast, CWA weather forecaster Kuan Shin-ping (官欣平) said yesterday. Uncertainty remains and
SEA WARNING LIKELY: The storm, named Gaemi, could become a moderate typhoon on Wednesday or Thursday, with the Taipei City Government preparing for flooding A tropical depression east of the Philippines developed into a tropical storm named Gaemi at 2pm yesterday, and was moving toward eastern Taiwan, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said. Gaemi could begin to affect Taiwan proper on Tuesday, lasting until Friday, and could develop into a moderate typhoon on Wednesday or Thursday, it said. A sea warning for Gaemi could be issued as early as Tuesday morning, it added. Gaemi, the third tropical storm in the Pacific Ocean this typhoon season, is projected to begin moving northwest today, and be closest to Taiwan on Wednesday or Thursday, the agency said. Today, there would likely
DISRUPTIONS: The high-speed rail is to operate as normal, while several airlines either canceled flights or announced early departures or late arrivals Schools and offices in 15 cities and counties are to be closed today due to Typhoon Gaemi, local governments announced last night. The 15 are: Taipei, New Taipei City, Taoyuan, Tainan, Keelung, Hsinchu and Kaohsiung, as well as Yilan, Hualien, Hsinchu, Miaoli, Chiayi, Pingtung, Penghu and Lienchiang counties. People should brace for torrential rainfall brought by the storm, with its center forecast to make landfall on the east coast between tonight and tomorrow morning, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said. The agency issued a sea warning for the typhoon at 11:30pm on Monday, followed by a land warning at 11:30am yesterday. As of
CASUALTY: A 70-year-old woman was killed by a falling tree in Kaohsiung as the premier warned all government agencies to remain on high alert for the next 24 hours Schools and offices nationwide are to be closed for a second day today as Typhoon Gaemi crosses over the nation, bringing torrential rain and whipping winds. Gaemi was forecast to make landfall late last night. From Tuesday night, its outer band brought substantial rainfall and strong winds to the nation. As of 6:15pm last night, the typhoon’s center was 20km southeast of Hualien County, Central Weather Administration (CWA) data showed. It was moving at 19kph and had a radius of 250km. As of 3pm yesterday, one woman had died, while 58 people were injured, the Central Emergency Operation Center said. The 70-year-old