JANUARY 31 TAO PRESS BRIEFING: POSSIBLE VISIT OF

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 BEIJING 000750 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL ETRD ECON KOLY CH TW SUBJECT: JANUARY 31 TAO PRESS BRIEFING: POSSIBLE VISIT OF KMT OFFICIAL, TAIWAN TEXTBOOKS, CHARTER FLIGHTS AND TOURISM, MEDIA CENSORSHIP AND EXCHANGE Summary -------------- ¶1. Key points at the January 31 Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) press briefing were: -- TAO spokesperson Yang Yi would not confirm a possible visit by "President of the Legislative Yuan" Wang Jin-pyng in connection with the establishment of a national-level Taiwan Business Association. -- Yang condemned changes to Taiwan textbooks and removal of references to China in the Palace Museum as "stunts" that go "against the will of the people." -- The path of the Olympic torch will be announced in April of this year. -- The TAO denied restricting access to Taiwan websites and hopes that the Taiwan authorities can take real steps to promote cross-Strait news media exchange. -- Yang would not comment on reports of comments made by Lee Teng-hui stating that he has not advocated Taiwan independence. -- Beijing supports the attendance of Taiwan compatriots at the 2007 meetings of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC). End Summary. KMT Deputy Chairman Wang Jin-pyng to Mainland? -------------- - ¶2. TAO spokesperson Yang Yi was asked multiple questions at the January 31 TAO press briefing about Kuomintang Vice Chairman Wang Jin-pyng's possible visit to the Mainland in conjunction with establishment of a national-level Taiwan Business Association, including under what title Wang would come and what topics would be discussed. Yang did not confirm the visit and said news about the Association would be released when preparations currently underway are complete. Yang reiterated the Mainland's consistent willingness to meet and discuss developing cross-Strait relations and peaceful reunification with any department or individual who accepts the One China principle and the "1992 Consensus." Taiwan Textbooks, Museum Changes Promote Independence -------------- -------------- ¶3. Yang said that the Taiwan authorities are trying to turn Taiwan education into "Taiwan independence ideological education" in reference to the recent revisions of history texts which substitute "China" for "the Mainland." Yang noted the Taiwan public's fervent condemnation of this attempt, reiterating that Taiwan is an inseparable part of China and that no stunt of any kind by Taiwan independence forces can change this fact. ¶4. Yang also denounced as "against the will of the people" efforts of the Taiwan authorities to "remove China" from the Taipei Palace Museum by referring to cultural relics of the Ming and Qing dynasties as "artifacts from home and abroad." Internet Censorship and News Media Cooperation -------------- - ¶5. In a lengthy response to a question about Taiwan's "Mainland Affairs Commission" welcoming Xinhua News Agency and the People's Daily to open offices in Taiwan, Yang said that the Mainland has continuously encouraged news media cooperation between the two sides since opening up to Taiwan news agencies in ¶1993. It is the Taiwan authorities who have prevented such exchange and cooperation, said Yang. Yang voiced hopes that the Taiwan authorities can take real steps to promote cross-Strait news media exchange instead of "spouting empty words." ¶6. In response to a question about reports from Taiwan's "Mainland Affairs Committee" that some Taiwan websites that were previously inaccessible have been unblocked on the Mainland, Yang stated that the Mainland regulates the internet in accordance with laws and regulations to promote its orderly and healthy development. It does not have specific BEIJING 00000750 002 OF 003 policies for certain websites, he stated. 2008 Olympics: Journalists, Tickets and the Torch -------------- -------------- ¶7. Yang repeated details of new regulations governing the interviews and travel permits of Taiwan journalists during the period leading up to and during the Olympics. The path of the Olympic torch will be announced in April of this year in accordance with the requirements of the International Olympic Committee, said Yang. On the question on how and when Taiwan residents can buy tickets for the 2008 Olympics, Yang replied only that Taiwan compatriots can consult the ticket-seller agents appointed by the China Olympic Committee. Direct Charter Flights and Mainland Tourists -------------- ¶8. Responding to questions about demand for increasing Spring Festival charter flights and normal weekend charter flights, Yang said that China hopes Taiwan agrees to a moderate increase in Spring Festival charter flights and destinations. The total of 96 round-trip flights this year to six destinations is an increase of 24 over 2006. Yang pointed out that the Taiwan side has been reluctant to increase flight destinations. On the issue of normal weekend cross- Strait charter flights, Yang believes there are no technical obstacles, but gave no timeline for their operation to begin saying it depended on the discussion between both sides' private trade organizations. ¶9. When asked if there was progress in recent cross- Strait negotiations between Tourism Associations to allow Mainland tourists to travel to Taiwan Yang said this was the fourth round of discussions. Consensus has been reached on many issues and China hopes for good news to be released soon, but Yang would not confirm a timetable for agreement. Lee Teng-hui's Comments -------------- ¶10. Asked by a Taiwan reporter for comment on former "President" Lee Teng-hui's anti-independence comments in an interview, Yang said only that they are paying attention to the relevant reports. Lee reportedly clarified that he has never advocated "Taiwan Independence" nor is he the "Godfather of Taiwan Independence," adding that he no longer has any "government" identification and hopes to visit the Mainland. Taiwan Attendance at CPPCC -------------- ¶11. The Mainland supports the request for the participation of Taiwan compatriots in the 2007 Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC),said Yang when asked for comment on reports that Taiwan citizens, including three businessmen from Dongguan, Guangdong Province and a famous Phoenix TV journalist, will face retribution from Taiwan authorities upon returning to Taiwan. Crime-fighting Cooperation and Lee Han-yang Case -------------- --- ¶12. According to "incomplete statistics," the cross- Strait Red Cross Organization has carried out repatriation acts 286 times since the signing of the "Kinmen Agreement" (1990),repatriating 37,790 people between the two sides, Yang said. The Mainland has repatriated to Taiwan 266 suspects, fugitives and illegal border-crosser, including Lee Han-yang whose case was mentioned by a reporter. Cross-Strait Trademark Cooperation -------------- ¶13. A reporter asked for comment about the recent 2007 cross-Strait Trademark Forum held in Taiwan and two recent trademark disputes involving "Ali" and "Sun Moon Lake." Yang responded that both sides had agreed to set up a mechanism for cooperation between related departments and to increase communication and exchanges to promote intellectual property rights. By order of the Trademark Assessment Committee, trademark BEIJING 00000750 003 OF 003 registration was cancelled in both cases mentioned. Consensus Sought on Sand Exports to Taiwan -------------- ¶14. Yang was asked to clarify the Mainland's natural sand export policy toward Taiwan in light of a recent notice by the Commerce and Customs Administration limiting exports starting March 1. Yang replied that despite natural sand scarcity, the Mainland will make all efforts to continue exporting to Taiwan and hopes Taiwan will take measures to support a cross-Strait non-governmental mechanism to reach consensus on this issue. RANDT