SCUFFLE WITH VISITING PRC OFFICIAL UNLIKELY TO

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TAIPEI 001496 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/23/2018 TAGS: PREL PGOV TW CH SUBJECT: SCUFFLE WITH VISITING PRC OFFICIAL UNLIKELY TO SCUTTLE UPCOMING CROSS-STRAIT TALKS IN TAIPEI Classified By: AIT Deputy Director Robert S. Wang, Reasons 1.4 (B/D) ¶1. (C) Summary. A senior official from the PRC's Association for RELATIONS Across the Taiwan Strait (ARATS) cut short his "academic" visit to southern Taiwan following an October 21 incident in which pro-independence activists led by a DPP Tainan Councilman jostled him until he stumbled - or was bumped - to the ground. The Taiwan government condemned the violent action of the protesters, and leaders of the opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) also rejected violence but faulted Zhang for making an inflammatory statement and blamed the government and police for not protecting Zhang's security. While the incident raises questions about how, on the eve of a groundbreaking cross-Strait meeting, a PRC representative was allowed to wander about in an opposition stronghold, it does not appear that it will affect the timing of the planned November visit of ARATS Chairman Chen Yunlin. End Summary. ¶2. (SBU) PRC ARATS Vice Chairman Zhang Mingqing departed Taiwan October 22, several days ahead of schedule, following an October 21 incident in which an elected city council member from Taiwan's opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and other pro-independence supporters aggressively confronted him until the 60-year old academic fell to the ground. Zhang, in Tainan to participate in an academic symposium in his capacity as dean of the Xiamen University School of Journalism and Communication, took a side trip to the city's Confucius temple on the morning of October 21 accompanied by a tour guide and three plainclothed security personnel. He was met by a small group of Taiwan independence activists as well as a gaggle of media. As cameras rolled, Tainan City DPP Council Member Wang Ting-yu and several others confronted Zhang, yelling pro-independence slogans and forcing him back until he fell to the ground. Wang acknowledged shouting at Zhang, who reportedly suffered only minor injuries, but insisted that the 60-year old official had tripped rather than being pushed. Video footage of the event indicated Zhang was probably bumped, perhaps inadvertently, before falling, and also showed scenes of protesters pushing and punching at him as he was making his way to his car. In addition, a protester stomped on the roof of Zhang's car and an older female protester beat the car with a crutch. Zhang visited a temple the evening of October 21 and provided the media with his interpretation of the incident. At first Zhang planned to complete his visit, but he changed tack and departed the island on October 22, explaining that officials in Beijing had asked him to return for a full medical examination. On his departure Zhang was again greeted at the airport by the media and pro-independence demonstrators. ¶3. (SBU) A range of government officials and KMT politicians, including the Presidential Office Spokesman, condemned the violence. The Tainan police chief was fired over his office's handling of Zhang's security and local prosecutors are contemplating assault charges (filed by Zhang) against Wang and others. Calling a special press conference, Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) Chairman P.K. Chiang said ARATS Chairman Chen Yunlin had made a three-point comment, thanking Taiwan for its concern and efforts to deal with the incident, noting that Zhang,s visit had nothing to do with SEF-ARATS talks, and stressing that the incident would not affect SEF-ARATS consultations or efforts by the two sides to pursue cross-Strait peace. DPP Chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen called upon DPP members to exercise restraint. A statement issued by DPP headquarters rejected violence but maintained that people had the right to shout their POLITICAL views so long as they were peaceful and nonviolent. The DPP criticized Zhang for stating publicly during his visit that "there will be no war if there is no Taiwan independence," and blamed the government and police for inadequate security measures. ¶4. (C) The Deputy Director, by coincidence, was in Tainan October 21 and raised the incident with city Mayor Hsu Tian-tsai. Hsu was defensive, claiming that Zhang confused his police detail by deciding at the last minute to visit the Confucius Temple rather than return to his hotel. (Note: Zhang,s change of plans clearly didn't confuse the Taiwan media, which was present in force to record the incident. In addition, Council Member Wang revealed that it was the media that had informed him of Zhang's presence at the Confucian Temple. End Note). Hsu admitted there were some miscues in the day,s events, but told DDIR he could not publicly apologize for this incident, as some KMT politicians have TAIPEI 00001496 002 OF 002 demanded, since his DPP colleagues would howl if he did. ¶5. (C) A Tainan DPP official told AIT/K that Wang Ting-yu organized the protest on his own personal initiative, his purpose being to gain media exposure and DPP grass-roots support for a future POLITICAL campaign. The local DPP official said he felt the protest was excessive given Zhang's age (over 60) and physical condition. In an October 22 meeting with DDIR, the Chairman of the ruling KMT party's Tainan committee condemned the assault and criticized local police for their inability to handle the situation. He noted that a police precinct was located right next to the temple and that the police should have been more alert given another protest incident at a university the day before. Local business representatives offered similar views, supporting the right for people to express their views but highly critical of the use of violence. There was general agreement that the episode would not, and should not, affect the timing of the visit of Chen Yunlin (which they expected would take place under far tighter security). Comment -------------- ¶6. (C) We expect the Ma administration will try to put this unpleasant incident quickly behind them, to prevent it from derailing plans for the upcoming visit to Taiwan by ARATS Chairman Chen Yunlin. Clearly, it will mean that Chen's visit will happen in an atmosphere of extraordinary security. President Ma Ying-jeou must maneuver carefully in dealing with the Tainan incident so as not to further inflame independence supporters and also because of widespread public ire here against China for the tainted milk scandal. The incident also complicates the task of DPP Chair Tsai Ing-wen as she tries to expand support for her party beyond its hardline independence core. This coming Saturday (October 25) the DPP and other opposition organizations are hoping for a large turnout for a demonstration against the Ma administration, especially its China policies, which they claim are "selling out Taiwan's sovereignty." According to our contacts, the Zhang incident is likely to energize the pro-independence participants in the demonstration. Just as Taiwan officials who failed to predict or prevent this incident face discipline, we suspect Zhang Mingqing will be faulted by his superiors for venturing out on his own, with little security, in the pro-independence heartland during the run-up to Chen Yunlin,s visit. This incident underscores and highlights the continued controversy surrounding Ma's current cross-Strait policies. SYOUNG