In response to Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan's (唐家璇) scolding of a reporter for using the term "Communist China," Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Wu Tzu-dan (吳子丹) said yesterday that Tang has always suffered from a "serious problem" with language.
"I feel so sorry for this," said Wu, while explaining to lawmakers the government's decision not to attend the APEC leader's summit. "However, it is ridiculous for a Foreign Minister to act like this at an international event."
"`Communist China' has been a term we've used to refer to the Beijing government for decades. It is a term that most people use. We won't say that it is synonymous for the Chinese Communists or China because the Beijing government never made any formal announcement to confirm it. But, it is obvious that Mr. Tang didn't realize the actual definition of the phrase before he so rudely scolded the lady reporter at the press conference," added Wu.
Tang corrected a PowerTV reporter for using the term "Communist China" -- which he labeled a throwback to the Cold War -- in her question at a press conference during the APEC leader's summit last week. He said that "Communist China" is now "a phrase relegated to history. Everybody knows that there is only one China in the world which is the People's Republic of China."
Wu also said that Tang's statement is untrue and inaccurate because the Chinese Communists still exist.
"If they don't like it, maybe the Ministry of Foreign Affairs should consider calling them the PRC directly" said DPP Legislator Parris Chang (
"The Chinese Government did not follow the rules and send out an official invitation to us," said Wu. "In fact, they just xeroxed an invitation from another country and sent it to us without an addressee. This is extremely rude."
New Party Legislator Lai Shyh-bao (
"If they don't send us an official invitation, then we won't have to assign anyone to the summit or let them know who our official representative is," said Lai. "I think this is what we should do when they fail to show us the proper amount of respect."
Lin Chong-pin (林中斌), vice chairman of the Mainland Affairs Council, who also presented a report to the committee, indicated that the Chinese Government is hoping to improve its poor relationship with the US.
"China always tries to ally with the US against Taiwan," said Lin. "For instance, the Chinese Government officially showed its supports toward the US on Sept. 12, the day after the terrorist attack on New York, while many of the Chinese people were `celebrating' the attack because they hate Americans."
Taiwan last night blanked world No. 1 Japan 4-0 to win the World Baseball Softball Confederation’s (WBSC) Premier12 for the first time. Taiwanese ace Lin Yu-min (林昱珉) held defending champions Japan to just one hit and no runs in the first four innings, before catcher Lin Chia-cheng (林家正) opened the fifth inning with a solo home run. That was soon followed by a three-run homer from Taiwanese captain Chen Chieh-hsien (陳傑憲) to put Taiwan ahead in the prestigious tournament of the world’s top 12 baseball teams. In addition to a superb performance from 21-year-old Arizona Diamondbacks prospect Lin, three more Taiwanese pitchers
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Taiwan yesterday advanced to the gold medal match of the World Baseball Softball Confederation’s (WBSC) Premier12 for the first time in history, despite last night losing 9-6 to Japan. Taiwan advanced after the US defeated Venezuela in the first game on the last day of the Super Round. However, the US had no chance of advancing to the championship game unless it defeated Venezuela by at least nine points. The US won 6-5. As a result, the two teams — who both had one win and two losses in the Super Round — are to face off again in the
Minister of Labor Ho Pei-shan (何佩珊) said she would tender her resignation following criticism of her handling of alleged bullying by Ministry of Labor Workforce Development Agency branch director Hsieh Yi-jung (謝宜容) resulting in the death of an employee. The ministry yesterday gave Hsieh two demerits and said she is subject to review by the Disciplinary Court. The severest possible punishment would be her removal from office and being barred from government jobs indefinitely. Workforce Development Agency Director-General Tsai Meng-liang (蔡孟良) also received a major demerit and was transferred to another position. Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) issued a formal apology
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