The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) yesterday condemned Chinese Ambassador to the US Cui Tiankai (崔天凱) for calling DPP Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen’s (蔡英文) visit to the US a “job interview,” adding that his call for Tsai to be interviewed by China was rude and would not help to improve cross-strait relations.
“Chairperson Tsai has made it very clear in her commentary piece in the Wall Street Journal yesterday that maintaining stable and sustainable developments in cross-strait relations are important objectives,” DPP Department of China Affairs director Chao Tien-lin (趙天麟) told a news conference at DPP headquarters in Taipei. “We hope to create transparent channels of communication between the DPP and Beijing, as well as between the party and the public to strengthen mutual trust and cooperation across the Taiwan Strait, and to maintain peace and stability through exchanges, cooperation and dialogue in accordance with our principles.”
Chao said DPP presidential candidate Tsai has stressed that the visit is not a “job interview,” but to deliver the message that Taiwan and the US both believe in the universal values of democracy, freedom and human rights.
Photo: CNA
“Cui has not only intentionally twisted [Tsai’s intentions], but he arrogantly considers China as some sort of ‘heavenly court,’ asking Tsai to be tested by all Chinese,” Chao said. “This rude language is shocking and it does not help to improve mutual understanding and communication across the Taiwan Strait.”
Chao urged direct dialogue, adding that Beijing should refrain from making deals behind closed doors, while refusing any goodwill from the DPP.
Noting that some people have said Tsai’s visit to the US is aimed at soliciting Washington’s support ahead of January’s presidential election, Cui had said he wondered why she would talk to foreigners, but not directly to her compatriots on the other side of the Taiwan Strait.
“She first has to pass the test of the 1.3 billion Chinese,” Cui said.
Tsai should also state clearly whether she accepts the “one China” principle and should leave no ambiguity about that point, he said.
Cui said that China has been vigilant against activities to push for Taiwanese independence and there is no room for ambiguity when it comes to the “one China” principle.
“We have made it clear to the US that China is opposed to any activities related to Taiwan independence staged in the US and oppose the US giving a stage to such activities,” he said.
Additional reporting by CNA
BAIL APPEALS: The former vice premier was ordered to be held incommunicado despite twice being granted bail and paying a total of NT$12 million in bond The Taoyuan District Court yesterday ordered the detention of former vice premier Cheng Wen-tsan (鄭文燦), who is being investigated for alleged corruption while serving as Taoyuan mayor from December 2014 to December 2022, and that he be held incommunicado. The court made the ruling during a bail hearing after prosecutors appealed its bail ruling twice. Cheng on Saturday was released after posting bail of NT$5 million (US$153,818). However, after prosecutors lodged an appeal, the High Court on Monday revoked the original ruling and ordered the Taoyuan District Court to hold another bail hearing. On Tuesday, the district court granted bail to Cheng a second
The Thai government on Friday announced that Taiwanese would be allowed to stay in the country for up to 60 days per entry, under the Southeast Asian country’s visa-free program starting from today. Taiwan is among 93 countries included in the Thai visa-waiver program, which has been expanded from 57 countries, with the visa-exempt entry extended from 30 to 60 days. After taking office last year, Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has vowed to grant more visa waivers to foreign travelers as part of efforts to stimulate tourism. The expanded visa-waiver program was on Friday signed by Thai Minister of the Interior Anutin
PEACE AND SECURITY: China’s military ambitions present ‘the greatest strategic challenge to Japan and the world, Japan’s annual defense white paper said yesterday Japan yesterday warned that China risked escalating tensions with Taiwan with an increase in military exercises that appeared aimed in part at readying Beijing’s forces for a possible invasion. Japan’s annual assessment of security threats, including those posed by China, North Korea and Russia, comes as Taiwan closely monitors Chinese People’s Liberation Army air and sea exercises, including one with the Shandong aircraft carrier in the Pacific Ocean. The drills are the latest in a series including maneuvers in the Taiwan Strait last year that a senior US general said would be key to any invasion. “Because of that increase in military activity,
HAN KUANG: The exercises, which are to run from July 22 to 26, will feature unscripted war games and a decentralized command and control structure, military officers said The armed forces would for the first time test new rules of engagement (ROE) at this month’s annual Han Kuang exercises, the Ministry of National Defense (MND) said yesterday. The exercises, which are to run from July 22 to 26, will feature unscripted war games, and a decentralized command and control structure, military officers told a news conference in Taipei. ROE cards would be issued to select combat troops to test their ability to function without tight control, they said. The most recent edition of the rules was published last year, they said. One of the cards’ two templates identifies enemy targets that soldiers