Envoy’s Taiwan trip highlights differences

BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: November 7, 2008



TAIPEI, Taiwan — Chinese envoy Chen Yunlin stepped off the plane with a mission: Make history by becoming the most senior Chinese official to visit Taiwan. Sign a landmark trade deal. Draw the island closer to China.

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Chen did all those things during his trip that ends today. But his visit also highlighted how — socially and politically — Taiwan and China are not merely like two separate countries. They are more like different planets.

While Chen hobnobbed with Taiwanese tycoons and officials, he was mocked by comedians, cursed by protesters and scrutinized by the media.

On Thursday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang laid down a marker for President-elect Barack Obama, saying Taiwan was the "most sensitive issue” in China’s relations with the U.S.


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Related Topics: Political Policy, Politics, U.S. Politics, World Politics, Diplomacy, Elections and Voting, International Relations, Protests and Demonstrations, Chinese Politics, U.S. Presidential Election, Asia-Pacific Politics


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Don't give in to China. They shouldn't be allowed to take over Taiwan. Taiwan is a democracy, and it's important that the Taiwan Strait be kept free from Communist control. China says Taiwan is a runaway province. If anything, Taiwan belongs more to Japan than China. Taiwan was an independent country before Chairman Mao took over, then Chang Kaishek moved the Republic of China to Taiwan, hoping one day to recapture the Mainland for his govt., rather than the Communists. Taiwan loves it's freedom. We keep saying we're fighting for freedom in Iraq, but Taiwan already has freedom - and yet it's being threatened to lossing it, and we side with the totalitarian Chinese side. We need to keep Taiwan a democracy in that part of the world. Don't let her fall!
Mike, Oklahoma City - Nov 7, 2008 at 9:31 am
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