Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BEIJING750
2007-01-31 11:27:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Beijing
Cable title:  

JANUARY 31 TAO PRESS BRIEFING: POSSIBLE VISIT OF

Tags:  PREL ETRD ECON KOLY CH TW 
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VZCZCXRO3476
OO RUEHCN RUEHGH RUEHVC
DE RUEHBJ #0750/01 0311127
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 311127Z JAN 07
FM AMEMBASSY BEIJING
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4356
INFO RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
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
-------

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

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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