Govt cites safety concerns; decision hailed by Chinese cross-strait experts
By Peh Shing Huei 26 September 2009
BEIJING: Taiwan has decided not to allow exiled Uighur leader Rebiya Kadeer to visit the island, a move applauded by analysts on mainland China yesterday.
Ms. Kadeer had wanted to visit in December after invitations by Taiwanese pro-independence groups, but Taiwan Interior Minister Jiang Yi-huah said the government would not allow it, citing safety concerns.
‘The government’s decision conforms to the interests of the nation and the entire public,’ said Taiwan’s ruling Kuomintang (KMT) in a statement yesterday.
Cross-strait experts in China praised the decision, but warned that Beijing’s patience had been wearing thin after the visit by the Dalai Lama last month and this week’s screening of a film about Ms. Kadeer.
‘The Taiwan authorities had to do something about it. They could not just let the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) go on with its nonsense,’ said observer Chu Jingtao of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.
‘Ma Ying-jeou must seriously reflect on how he wants cross-strait ties to progress. The KMT cannot be soft and passive.’
Taiwan President Ma has escaped criticism from China so far, as Beijing adopted calibrated and relatively muted responses to two earlier provocative events engineered by the island’s opposition DPP.
The recent visit by the Dalai Lama had strained relations with the mainland, but Beijing was careful not to put the blame on the China-friendly Mr. Ma.
Instead, criticisms were directed at senior DPP leader Chen Chu, who, as mayor of the southern city of Kaohsiung, had invited the Tibetan spiritual leader to come pray for the victims of Typhoon Morakot.
This despite Mr. Ma being the one who gave permission for the Dalai Lama’s entry into Taiwan. Analysts read Beijing’s response as a careful attempt not to sabotage Mr. Ma, who has been developing warmer cross-strait relations since assuming the presidency last year.
Beijing again held back when Kaohsiung screened a biopic about Ms. Kadeer, The 10 Conditions Of Love, earlier this week.
The mainland’s Taiwan Affairs Office chided ‘some elements in Kaohsiung’ in its short statement last Sunday but there was no mention or rebuke of Mr. Ma.
But this long leash might be shortened should such mischiefs be allowed to continue, added analysts, who believed that the DPP would continue to ‘create trouble’ for cross-strait relations.
‘The mainland has been taking care of Taiwan’s economic interests. Taiwan must know to take care of the mainland’s political interests. We held our tongue over the Dalai incident, pointed our fingers only at Chen Chu and did not scold Ma,’ said analyst Chen Yujun of Qinghua University.
Added Professor Guo Zhenyuan of the China Institute of International Studies: ‘They said the Dalai visit was a religious event and the film screening was a cultural exchange. But the truth is that it is pure politicking. To be honest, I am sick of hearing their ‘reasons’.
‘The mainland has made it clear - we will not take kindly to anyone who tries for Taiwan independence or separatism.’
Ms. Kadeer’s group, which Beijing regards as separatists responsible for the Xinjiang riots on July 5, condemned the decision to deny her a visa.
‘Taiwan’s government has completely given in to pressure from Beijing,’ World Uighur Congress spokesman Dilxat Raxit told Reuters. ‘Taiwan’s foreign policy is now totally in Beijing’s pocket.’
But Professor Shi Chunyi of the Institute of Taiwan Studies in Qinghua University said Mr. Ma had to take action this time or risk being seen as an ineffectual leader by the mainland.
‘The visit of Kadeer will be a big blow to cross-strait relations,’ he said. ‘He must show Beijing that he can do something.’
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Taiwan blocks visit by exiled Uighur leader
Govt cites safety concerns; decision hailed by Chinese cross-strait experts
By Peh Shing Huei
26 September 2009
BEIJING: Taiwan has decided not to allow exiled Uighur leader Rebiya Kadeer to visit the island, a move applauded by analysts on mainland China yesterday.
Ms. Kadeer had wanted to visit in December after invitations by Taiwanese pro-independence groups, but Taiwan Interior Minister Jiang Yi-huah said the government would not allow it, citing safety concerns.
‘The government’s decision conforms to the interests of the nation and the entire public,’ said Taiwan’s ruling Kuomintang (KMT) in a statement yesterday.
Cross-strait experts in China praised the decision, but warned that Beijing’s patience had been wearing thin after the visit by the Dalai Lama last month and this week’s screening of a film about Ms. Kadeer.
‘The Taiwan authorities had to do something about it. They could not just let the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) go on with its nonsense,’ said observer Chu Jingtao of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.
‘Ma Ying-jeou must seriously reflect on how he wants cross-strait ties to progress. The KMT cannot be soft and passive.’
Taiwan President Ma has escaped criticism from China so far, as Beijing adopted calibrated and relatively muted responses to two earlier provocative events engineered by the island’s opposition DPP.
The recent visit by the Dalai Lama had strained relations with the mainland, but Beijing was careful not to put the blame on the China-friendly Mr. Ma.
Instead, criticisms were directed at senior DPP leader Chen Chu, who, as mayor of the southern city of Kaohsiung, had invited the Tibetan spiritual leader to come pray for the victims of Typhoon Morakot.
This despite Mr. Ma being the one who gave permission for the Dalai Lama’s entry into Taiwan. Analysts read Beijing’s response as a careful attempt not to sabotage Mr. Ma, who has been developing warmer cross-strait relations since assuming the presidency last year.
Beijing again held back when Kaohsiung screened a biopic about Ms. Kadeer, The 10 Conditions Of Love, earlier this week.
The mainland’s Taiwan Affairs Office chided ‘some elements in Kaohsiung’ in its short statement last Sunday but there was no mention or rebuke of Mr. Ma.
But this long leash might be shortened should such mischiefs be allowed to continue, added analysts, who believed that the DPP would continue to ‘create trouble’ for cross-strait relations.
‘The mainland has been taking care of Taiwan’s economic interests. Taiwan must know to take care of the mainland’s political interests. We held our tongue over the Dalai incident, pointed our fingers only at Chen Chu and did not scold Ma,’ said analyst Chen Yujun of Qinghua University.
Added Professor Guo Zhenyuan of the China Institute of International Studies: ‘They said the Dalai visit was a religious event and the film screening was a cultural exchange. But the truth is that it is pure politicking. To be honest, I am sick of hearing their ‘reasons’.
‘The mainland has made it clear - we will not take kindly to anyone who tries for Taiwan independence or separatism.’
Ms. Kadeer’s group, which Beijing regards as separatists responsible for the Xinjiang riots on July 5, condemned the decision to deny her a visa.
‘Taiwan’s government has completely given in to pressure from Beijing,’ World Uighur Congress spokesman Dilxat Raxit told Reuters. ‘Taiwan’s foreign policy is now totally in Beijing’s pocket.’
But Professor Shi Chunyi of the Institute of Taiwan Studies in Qinghua University said Mr. Ma had to take action this time or risk being seen as an ineffectual leader by the mainland.
‘The visit of Kadeer will be a big blow to cross-strait relations,’ he said. ‘He must show Beijing that he can do something.’
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