Taiwan's Chen blasts KMT as KMT delegation welcomed in China

Asian Economic News, April 4, 2005

TAIPEI, March 29 Kyodo

Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian on Tuesday blasted the opposition Nationalist Party's (KMT) fence-mending trip to China as KMT Vice Chairman Chiang Pin-kun received a warm welcome from the Communist Party, the first formal contact between the two parties since the Nationalist government retreated to Taiwan after losing the civil war 56 years ago.

Chen said Chiang's visit to the mainland has triggered confusion here at a time when cross-strait tension is especially high due to China's recent enactment of a new law that authorizes the use of force should Taiwan declare independence.

''The meeting between the KMT and the Communist Party is quite puzzling,'' Chen told a group of youngsters who assembled to mark Youth Day. ''How can we go backward to 60, 70 or 80 years ago? The society needs to move forward.''

''Only a united Taiwan will help stabilize the cross-strait relations,'' he said. ''Is it right that they have their party's interest override the national interest?''

China and Taiwan have been governed separately since defeated Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek took refuge on the island in 1949. China claims sovereignty over Taiwan and has threatened to attack if Chen, a fierce and longtime critic of the Communist Party leadership, moves toward a permanent political separation.

In response to Chen, Chiang, a Japan-educated economist and lawmaker, called his trip as a ''nostalgic and economic journey'' aimed at easing tensions with Beijing.

Chiang took the example of the icebreaking dialogue in early January between KMT lawmakers and the Chinese authorities on direct charter flights to be operated during the Lunar New Year holiday, which led to official negotiation between Taipei and Beijing on the matter.

''We hope to do what the government does not do and cannot do,'' he said, suggesting that the president work with the opposition so as to enhance the well-being of Taiwan's people.

Chiang, along with a 30-member strong delegation, arrived in China on Monday. Local TV news Tuesday showed Chiang being greeted passionately by local residents in Guangdong Province when his delegation visited Huang Hua Gang Park and laid a wreath on behalf of KMT Chairman Lien Chan on the grave of 72 martyrs killed in a 1911 uprising against the Qing Dynasty.

During their five-day stay, Chiang will also pay tribute at Sun Yat-sen's tomb in Nanjing, the former Nationalist capital, and travel northward to Beijing to meet with high-ranking officials, considered a significant step that may pave the way for Lien's visit to China this summer.