Opposition Visit to China
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Beijing to Make It Easier
for Taiwan Residents to Study and Work on Mainland (China Post, May 14, 2005) Chairman James Soong brought home
three major gifts from Beijing that announced relaxation of the rules
governing visits and employment of Taiwanese people on the mainland and a
reduction in the tuition for Taiwanese students studying there.
Taiwan Rejects China Offers
As Hopes For Talks Dim
(Reuters, May 13, 2005) Taiwan
rejected Chinese offers of fresh economic sweeteners and a new formula to
describe relations, dashing hopes for fresh talks between the foes and
prolonging a dangerous stalemate.
New Maxim From Beijing, '2
Sides of Strait,' Is Met With a Yawn From Taiwan's President (NYT, May 13, 2005)
President Hu Jintao of China met with the head of a Taiwan opposition party
and agreed to a new, slightly altered linguistic framework as a potential
vehicle for starting negotiations with Taiwan's government.
'Two Sides, One China' Formula
for Taiwan Ties
(Straits Times, May 13, 2005) China agreed to a new formula for its relations
with rival Taiwan, hoping to kickstart stalled talks and bring about economic
incentives to the island.
Presidential Office Backs
Away from Soong
(TT, May 12, 2005) The
Presidential Office said that People
First Party (PFP) Chairman James Soong's speech in Beijing
condemning Taiwan
independence only represented his personal stance.
Taiwan's Soong Says Peace
with China Only Choice
(Reuters, May 11, 2005) Taiwan
opposition leader James Soong told university students in Beijing
that slogans and guns were not the way ahead for Taiwan
and China.
PFP Chairman Denies Making
Deal with China
(CNA, May 11, 2005) People First Party Chairman James Soong denied in Hunan, central
China, that he made a deal with Beijing in exchange for permission to visit
China.
China Trying to Scupper
Referendum Plan, Chen Says
(Straits Times, May 10, 2005) While Taiwan's opposition leader James Soong is
trying to build 'a bridge over troubled waters' with China, President Chen
Shui-bian has been busy burning this very same bridge.
Taiwan Opposition Leader Flies
to Beijing for Talks
(Reuters, May 10, 2005) Taiwan opposition leader James Soong flies to Beijing
on Tuesday for bridge-building talks with the island's nemesis, the Chinese
Communist Party.
Taiwan Opposition Politician
Pledges Opposition to Independence (AFP, May 8, 2005) Visiting Taiwan opposition politician James
Soong pledged that his party opposed the island declaring independence and
supported the idea that China and Taiwan both belong to "one
China."
Taiwan Opposition Leader
Visits Monument (AP, May 6,
2005) A Taiwanese opposition leader made a pilgrimage Friday to a monument
honoring China's legendary founder, calling for reconciliation between Taipei
and Beijing based on their common cultural roots.
Second Taiwan Opposition
Leader Goes to China (Reuters,
May 5, 2005) A second Taiwan opposition leader began a bridge-building visit
to China on Thursday, in a trip seen to mount more pressure on
independence-minded President Chen Shui-bian to reconcile with the island's
political arch-rival.
Second Leading Taiwanese
Opposition Figure Heads to China (AFP, May 4, 2005) A second leading Taiwanese opposition figure
heads to China for what is being billed as a "bridge-building"
visit to ease tensions between Beijing and the independence-leaning government
in Taipei.
China to Lift Ban on
Tourists Going to Taiwan
(Reuters, May 3, 2005) Beijing offered Taiwan a pair of giant pandas and
lifted a ban on Chinese tourists visiting the island as goodwill gestures at
the end of a historic trip to the mainland by Taiwan opposition leader Lien
Chan.
Chen Stresses All Avenues
Open to PRC
(Taiwan News, May 3, 2005) President Chen Shui-bian called for military
confidence building measures to enhance security and mutual trust across the
Taiwan Strait and invited China to talks under the principles of peace,
democracy and parity.
Taiwan Opposition Leader
Urges Chen to Grasp Chance for Peace with China (AFP, May 2, 2005) Taiwan opposition leader Lien Chan said peace
with China was within reach and he urged the island's government to grasp the
opportunity to end 56 years of hostility.
President Asks Soong to
Relay Message to Hu
(China Post, May 2, 2005) President Chen Shui-bian said he had asked
opposition People First Party leader James Soong to relay a message to
Beijing during his visit next week and openly urged China to talk directly to
the ruling party.
Taiwan's Chen Tries to
Regain Initiative on China with Message to Beijing (AFP, May 1, 2005) President Chen Shui-bian said he would ask an
opposition leader to relay a message to Beijing during a visit next week, the
first time Taiwan has publicly announced such a direct approach to rival
China.
Taiwan's President Calls for
Talks with China
(AFP, May 1, 2005) Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian has urged China to open
dialogue with his Government after Beijing held talks with an opposition
leader.
China Should Talk with DPP
Leaders, Says U.S.
(AP, May 1, 2005) The United States said dialogue among leaders of China and
Taiwan is important to a peaceful resolution of their 56-year-old estrangement,
but spokesmen said that China should bring the leaders of Taiwan's ruling
separatist party into the conversation.
Taiwan Criticizes Hu-Lien
Talks; Public Supports Them
(Bloomberg, Apr. 30, 2005) Taiwan's government criticized yesterday's meeting
in Beijing between the heads of both parties, even as a new poll shows the
Taiwanese public is positive on the overtures.
Chen Rejects CEPA Accord
with China
(China Post, Apr. 30, 2005) President Chen rejected outright the signing of a
Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA) pact with China, saying that
such a move would downgrade Taiwan sovereign status and make it a "second
Hong Kong."
Taiwan Calls China Meeting
Insincere
(AP, Apr. 29, 2005) The Taiwanese government criticized the talks, calling
Beijing insincere and saying they would do nothing to improve frosty
relations.
Taiwan KMT, China End Civil
War Hostilities
(Reuters, Apr. 29, 2005)The civil war enemies agreed in a two-hour meeting
that they described as frank and friendly to work to end enmity between the
KMT and the Chinese Communist Party and avoid military conflict in the Taiwan
Strait.
China's
Hu, Taiwan Opposition Leader Meet Taiwan
(AP, Apr. 29, 2005)Taiwan's opposition leader met
with Chinese President Hu Jintao, capping a historic reconciliation between
his party and mainland communists whose civil war split China in 1949.
Ahead of Lien-Hu Meeting, US
Urges China to Open Dialogue with Taiwan (AFP, Apr. 28, 2005) Taiwan's opposition leader was to meet with
senior Communist Party officials to prepare for historic and highly-symbolic
talks with Chinese President Hu Jintao.
Lien Calls for Peace with
China
(Reuters, Apr. 27, 2005) Taiwan opposition leader Lien Chan called for peace
with China as he toured historic mainland sites.
Lien Pays Homage to Sun
Yat-sen
(BBC, Apr. 27, 2005) The leader of Taiwan's opposition Nationalist Party Lien
Chan has visited the tomb of Sun Yat-sen, regarded as the father of modern
China, in Nanjing.
Taiwan Opposition Chief
Visits to China, Hundreds Protest
(Reuters, Apr. 26, 2005) Taiwan opposition leader Lien Chan began a historic
''journey of peace'' to China, seeking to reconcile with an old enemy even as
hundreds of pro-independence supporters staged angry protests at the airport.
President Chen Blesses Lien
for Visit to China
(China Post, Apr. 26, 2005) In an 11-minute telephone conversation, the
president, whom Lien addressed as "Brother Shui-bian," told the
opposition party leader the weeklong tour "is of significance."
Taiwan Opposition Leader
Calls for New Approach to China
(AFP, Apr. 25, 2005) Taiwan opposition leader Lien Chan said the island
should adopt a fresh approach to relations with China and turn its back on
half a century of conflict.
Taiwan KMT Trip to Boost
Ties, Says China Media
(Reuters, Apr. 25, 2005) Chinese commentators welcomed this week's visit by
Taiwan opposition leader Lien Chan and warned Taiwan's ruling party it risked
redundancy by pursuing formal independence for an island China considers its
own.
Chen Accepts China Visits as
Civilian Trips
(China Post, Apr. 24, 2005) President Chen Shui-bian reportedly has accepted
opposition leaders' upcoming politically charged visits to China as only
"civilian trips" that do not need government authorization.
KMT Chief Holds Talks with
US Envoy Ahead of China Trip
(Straits Times, Apr. 23, 2005) KMT chairman Lien Chan held secret talks with
the top US diplomat in Taiwan over his ground-breaking trip to the mainland
next week, party officials said.
Cross-Strait Dialogue
Helpful for Peace, Says White House
(CNA, Apr. 22, 2005) White House spokesman Scott McClellan said that the
United States believes dialogue between Taiwan and China would help resolve
cross-strait issues and reduce the tensions.
Ex-President Calls for
Multi-lateral Talks between Taiwan, China, U.S. and Japan (TN, Apr. 22, 2005) Lee declared that the "status, timing
and principles" of the planned visits by opposition KMT (Kuomintang)
Chairman Lien Chan and People First Party Chairman James Soong to the PRC
"were entirely wrong."
Taiwan Nationalist to Meet
Chinese Leader
(AP, Apr. 21, 2005) The leader of Taiwan's opposition Nationalists will
travel to China later this month for the first encounter with a leader of
China's Communists in more than five decades.
Chinese Prez Invites Taiwan
Oppn Soong to Mainland
(AFP, Apr. 18, 2005) Chinese President Hu Jintao invited Taiwan opposition
leader James Soong to visit the mainland, just weeks after Beijing feted a
high-level Kuomintang party (KMT) delegation.
Chen Warns Lien against
Signing Treaty
(China Post, Apr. 17, 2005) President Chen Shui-bian warned Kuomintang
Chairman Lien Chan against signing a cross-strait "peace agreement"
with Beijing.
MAC Rules Out Economic
Exchanges with PRC
(Taiwan News, Apr. 14, 2005) Taiwan would not welcome any Chinese delegations
visiting for the purpose of economic exchanges, in view of the currently
tense state of cross-strait relations.
Taiwan Bans Chinese
Journalists
(BBC, Apr. 11, 2005) Taiwanese officials have ordered journalists from two of
mainland China's largest official media groups to stop working on the island.
Reporters from the two official Chinese media organisations had been based in
Taiwan since 2001.
Taiwan Probes Politicians
over Links with China
(Financial Times, Apr. 7, 2005) Taiwan prosecutors are investigating whether
opposition politicians are guilty of treason by agreeing with Beijing to work
towards closer cross-Strait ties.
Chen Dismisses China-KMT
Talks as Meaningless Gesture
(China Post, Apr. 2, 20050 President Chen Shui-bian dismissed the
Kuomintang's talks with the Chinese communists as a "wishful"
meaningless promotion of cross-strait ties lacking the support of a domestic
consensus.
China Offers Taipei
Incentives
(Reuters, Mar. 31, 2005) Beijing proposed economic sweeteners for Taiwan last
night in a meeting with the island's opposition Nationalist Party.
Chen Blasts KMT's Trip
(Taipei Times, Mar 30, 2005) The president said that Chiang Pin-kun's visit
to China was a foolish move that was out of place and that only serves the
KMT.
China Embraces Taiwan
Opposition's Visit as Move Towards Easing Tensions (AFP, Mar. 29, 2005) Chinese state media welcomed the first ever
official visit to China by Taiwan's main opposition party, the Kuomintang
(KMT), as a step towards easing tensions as it moved into a second day.
Taiwan's KMT Leaves for
Historic China Visit
(Reuters, Mar. 28, 2005) A delegation of Taiwan's main opposition party began
its first official visit to mainland China since the civil war ended, but
refused to say who it will meet in Beijing.
China Leader Mixes Rhetoric
on Taiwan
(NYT, Mar. 5, 2005) Hu Jintao, China's Communist Party chief, took a militant
stance against what he called "secessionist forces" in Taiwan, but
also cited "new and positive factors" that could reduce
cross-strait tensions.
Chen, Soong Sign 10-point
Consensus
(Taipei Times, Feb. 25, 2005) President Chen Shui-bian and People First Party
(PFP) Chairman James Soong reached a consensus to acknowledge and respect the
current definition of Taiwan's status, create a legal basis for cross-strait
peace, and reiterated their support for the Republic of China.
Never-Ending Story of
Never-Never Land By Frank Ching
(Japan Times, July 21, 2005) The recent visits by three Taiwan opposition leaders
to mainland China illustrates the new policy of Chinese President Hu Jintao,
which is a marked departure from that of his predecessor, Jiang Zemin.
Two Visits, Many
Interpretations By Shelley
Rigger
(Far Eastern Economic Review, May 2005) The recent
visits of Taiwanese opposition party leaders Lien Chan and James Soong to
mainland China
have elicited a wide range of reactions from observers in the P.R.C., Taiwan
and elsewhere.
US Flails as Hu Jintao Gains
the Upper Hand By Lai
I-chung
(Taipei Times, May 18, 2005) Hu has managed to take the upper hand in
cross-strait issues from the US. Washington, whose role no longer appears
quite as dominant as it was, is now vying with Beijing for influence over
Taiwan.
Beijing Offers a Way Ahead
(Editorial, Straits Times, May 14, 2005) Analysts
trying to deconstruct 'two sides, one China' for a clarification of the 1992
consensus between Beijing and Taipei are looking the wrong way. For, in fact,
the new formulation injects an element of ambiguity into what 'one China'
means.
China Alters Language On
Taiwan By Philip P. Pan
(Washington Post, May 13, 2005) Chinese President Hu Jintao proposed new
diplomatic language aimed at ending the decades-old state of hostilities
between China and Taiwan, in a rare but tentative concession by a Communist
leader on one of the most sensitive issues in Chinese politics.
A Step Forward, But No New
Cross-Strait Talks Yet By Goh Sui Noi (Straits Times, May 13, 2005) China may have taken a step forward
in redefining the 1992 consensus, but it is not enough to bring about a
resumption of cross-strait talks, analysts say.
Soong Rejects Moves Toward
Independence
(China Post, May 12, 2005) James Soong warned in Beijing that moves by Taiwan
toward independence would lead to a "dead end," and said stable
relations with China were the only way forward.
Chen Tests Patience of
Loyalists in Taiwan By Peter S. Goodman (Washington Post, May 9,
2005) President Chen Shui-bian's new willingness to reconsider his
long-standing drive for Taiwanese independence has provoked charges of
betrayal and risked alienation of his core supporters.
Taiwan's "Step-by-Step
Process" (BusinessWeek,
May 9, 2005) BusinessWeek Correspondent Matt Kovac recently spoke with Lien
Chan at KMT headquarters in Taipei about the visit to China, Taiwan's
prospects, and the KMT's future.
Is Peace 'Within Reach'
While China Is Arming? By
David
Lague (IHT, May 6, 2005) As his historic visit to
China drew to a close, Taiwan's opposition leader, Lien Chan, declared on
Monday that an end was in sight to more than five decades of hostility across
the Taiwan Strait.
Lien's Triumphal PRC Visit
May Have Wide Implications
(China Post Editorial, May 5, 2005) Lien’s ice-breaking trip will have
far-reaching implications for Taiwan's domestic politics, its relations with
the mainland and the role Washington plays in cross-strait ties.
A Historic Visit to China (Japan Times Editorial, May 5, 2005) It is tantalizing to think
that the visit might herald a breakthrough in cross-strait relations, but it
is the product of tactical calculations by both sides. The question now is
whether it will increase tensions between Taipei and Beijing.
China Raises Hurdle to
Taiwan Negotiations By Joseph Kahn (New York Times, May 4, 2005)
Chinese officials said Tuesday that Taiwan's governing party must scrap its
party platform and stop its "separatist activities" before Beijing
would talk with President Chen Shui-bian, dashing hopes that the recent thaw
in relations would lead to two-way negotiations soon.
Taiwan Nationalist Cites
'Consensus' With Chinese on Ending Hostilities By Peter S. Goodman (Washington Post, May 4, 2005) The leader of Taiwan's opposition
Nationalist Party said he had achieved a "fundamental consensus"
with the country's Communist Party leadership to end hostilities that have
enveloped the Taiwan Strait for more than half a century.
Taiwan Rejoining China? Not
Just Yet By Philip Bowring
(International Herald Tribune, May 3, 2005) Until Beijing shifts its
interpretation of One China or Taiwan loses its implicit U.S./Japan security
umbrella, cross-strait political relations will probably continue to go round
in rhetorical circles.
Lien Trumpets KMT's Role in
Possible Peace Accord By Jason
Leow (Straits
Times, May 3, 2005) Taiwan's opposition Kuomintang leader Lien Chan tried to
strengthen his hand by saying that, for the first time, China had responded
positively to the idea of a peace accord.
Chinese Hope Lien's Visit
Will Boost Bilateral Ties By
Goh Sui Noi (Straits Times, May 2, 2005) Taiwan opposition Kuomintang (KMT)
chairman Lien Chan's visit to China has raised the Chinese people's
expectation that cross-strait ties will improve, although they do not think
that reunification will happen anytime soon.
Nationalist Chairman's Visit
to Mainland Spurs Taiwanese Interest in Accords By Keith
Bradsher (NYT, Mya 1, 2005) A visit to Beijing by
the chairman of Taiwan's Nationalists seems to have increased public support
here for improved relations with China, but may have also damaged the
cooperation among political parties needed for an actual shift in policy.
Taiwan's Chen Seen in
Dilemma over KMT China Fever By Tiffany Wu (Reuters, May 1, 2005) After a momentous handshake with Chinese
President Hu Jintao, Lien has rejuvenated his political career and -- if he
plays his cards right -- might even push his nemesis, President Chen
Shui-bian, into a quandary over his China policy.
60 Years Later, China
Enemies End Their War By Joseph
Kahn (New York Times, Apr. 30, 2005) The leaders of
China's Communist Party and of Taiwan's opposition Nationalist Party formally
ended six decades of hostility with a nationally televised handshake and
pledged to work together to undermine Taiwan's independence movement.
A Moment That Goes Down in
History
(People’s Daily, Apr. 30, 2005) It marks the entry of bilateral party
relationship into a new stage of development and is a historic moment
bringing springtime information relating to the future of the two sides
across the Straits.
Nationalist Returns To
Chinese Mainland By Edward
Cody
(Washington Post, April 27, 2005)
The arrival of Lien Chan, the party chairman, and his delegation in Nanjing
in eastern China marked the start of an eight-day trip designed to foster
friendly contacts and lower tensions in the long standoff between Beijing and
Taiwan.
China Tries to Isolate
Taiwan's President By Joseph Kahn
(New York Times, Apr. 26, 2005) Taiwan's two main opposition leaders will
make consecutive visits to mainland China over the next two weeks as Beijing
steps up a campaign to isolate the island's independence movement.
Nothing Concrete Expected
from Lien's Symbolic Visit By Lawrence
Chung (Straits
Times, Apr. 26, 2005) Taiwan's opposition Kuomintang (KMT) chairman Lien
Chan's landmark trip to China would likely be remembered more for symbolic
reasons. Analysts said they don't expect it to produce any concrete measures
to ease cross-strait tensions.
PRC Visits by Lien and Soong
Reflect Political Sea Change
(Editorial, China Post, Apr. 21, 2005) The scheduled historic visits to
Beijing by Lien and Soong reflect a sea change in Taiwan's domestic politics
and may pave the way for this island and mainland China to bury the hatchet
and move toward political reconciliation.
China's Wooing of Opposition
Unpredictable By Jane
Rickards (China Post, Apr. 20, 2005) China's
wooing of Taiwan's opposition parties is leading the island into unprecedented
and uncertain territory, analysts said, questioning if "China
fever" would reach epidemic proportions.
Jailing Chiang Is the
Priority
(Editorial, Taipei Times, Apr. 9, 2005) How satisfying it was to hear that he
is to be investigated for treason -- conviction for which carries a penalty
of from seven years to life imprisonment.
DPP Gov't Sees Danger of
Being Marginalized
(Editorial, China Post, Apr. 9, 2005) The recent string of remarks and moves
made by President Chen Shui-bian and his ruling party leaders suggest that
they are deeply worried about developments in local political and business
sectors.
Renewed KMT-CCP Ties May
Bring Stability By Ching
Cheong
(Straits Times, Apr. 2, 2005) The first handshake
between officials of the Chinese Communist Party and Taiwan's Kuomintang in
56 years may herald a third round of cooperation between these two
archrivals.
China Reaches Out to
Taiwanese Opposition Party By Philip P. Pan
(Washington Post, Mar. 31, 2005) A senior Communist Party official called for
a resumption of formal talks with Taiwan in a meeting with a leader of the
island's opposition Nationalist Party.
Twelve Results Achieved in CPC
and KMT Dialogue
(People’s Daily, Mar. 31, 2005) Chen Yunlin, director of the Taiwan Work Office of the CPC
Central Committee, held talks with Kuomintang (KMT) delegation led by
vice-chairman Chiang Pin-kung.
KMT Team's China Visit Puts
Chen in a Spot By Goh
Sui Noi
(Straits Times, Mar. 30, 2005) A high-profile mainland visit by Taiwan's
opposition Kuomintang (KMT) is likely to put pressure on the island's leader
Chen Shui-bian to engage Beijing, say analysts.
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