Taiwan's ruling party condemns historic meeting

Taiwan’s ruling party today criticised a history-making trip to Beijing by opposition Nationalist Party leaders, saying the visit plays into the hands of the communist mainland in its efforts to divide the Taiwanese people.

“The Nationalists are neglecting the people’s interest for the sake of one party’s interest,” Lai Ching-te, a senior member of the Democratic Progressive Party, said in Taiwan’s capital, Taipei.

The comments came after Chinese communist officials and the Nationalists’ vice chairman yesterday held the highest-level meeting between their parties since civil war split the two sides in 1949. They called for expanded economic ties.

Beijing claims democratic, self-governing Taiwan as part of its territory. Tensions have surged over China’s new anti-secession law authorising an attack if the island tries to make its de facto independence permanent. The two sides have no official relations, though trade and travel between them are soaring.

Nationalist vice chairman Chiang Pin-kung was set to meet later with Chinese leaders. The Nationalists, who once ruled China, say his trip is the first by a party leader to the mainland since 1949.

Chiang met with officials of the Communist Party’s Taiwan Office, and both sides said they agreed on 10 proposals to expand trade, travel and commercial ties.

But the agreements were more symbolic than practical, because the Nationalists lack the power to make policy toward China. The meeting was billed as a dialogue between the parties – not their governments.

In Taipei, Taiwan government spokesman Cho Jung-tai said the proposals would be non-binding because the Nationalist delegation did not have government authorisation.

Taiwan’s government “is ready to start talks on an equal footing with the other side anytime, and any party-to-party talks will be but civilian activities,” Cho said.

Beijing says Taiwan must declare that it is part of “one China” before talks can start. Taipei has rejected the condition.

Chiang, responding to criticism of his trip, said he would report to Taiwan’s government after he returns home on Friday.

In their meeting with Chiang yesterday, mainland officials expressed hope that “Taiwan authorities would cancel all limitations on economic co-operation,” said He Shiguang, a Chinese spokesman.

“Economic and trade co-operation is a major element for cross-Strait peace and stability,” he said.

Hundreds of thousands of Taiwanese marched to protest the law last weekend. Lai said Chiang’s dealings with the communists could undermine the protesters’ message.

“The agreements will give the world community the wrong impression that Taiwan is divided over the anti-secession law,” Lai said.

The Nationalists and communists share a desire to eventually unite Taiwan with the mainland and a dislike for Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian. Beijing accuses him of pursuing independence, while the Nationalists say he is provoking the mainland.

A spokesman for Chiang’s delegation, Chang Jung-kung, said the visit was meant to “build a bridge” to the mainland, and that it would be up to Taiwan’s government to take the next steps.