On May 22, The Philippine STAR published an article authored by Hou Sheng-mou, so called Health Minister of the notorious Chen Shuibian Authority which had expired on 20th May 2008. Over the years, Hou has been engaging in separatist activities for “Taiwan Independence” in the name of health welfare for our compatriots on Taiwan Island. Therefore, it is not surprising that Hou claimed Taiwan as a “Sovereign and independent nation”. What surprised me was that Hou’s article was published one day after he left office.
It is the consistent policy of the Philippine government that there is only one China and Taiwan is part of China. This policy has been supported by the Filipino people and served as a basis of smooth development of China-Philippine relationship over the past three decades. I fully respect your press freedom as well as freedom of speech. But, I have to say that STAR, though private, is one of the major media in the Philippines. Such a media as yours shall at least have some respect for the Philippine government’s foreign policy which has been carried out for more than three decades.
It goes without saying that our compatriots in Taiwan shall have full rights for health. Blood is thicker than water. No one cares more than us about the health of our compatriots in Taiwan. The central government of China has made unremitting efforts to safeguard the health right of Taiwan compatriots. In recent years, the exchange of the medical team and sanitary technologies has been strengthened. Exchange of information on epidemic diseases across the Straits has been going on smoothly. In May 2005, the Chinese Ministry of Health signed with the secretariat of the WHO a MOU on Exchange of Technology and Information between Taiwan experts and the Secretariat of WHO. Since then, more than 15 teams of Taiwan health experts attended the technical activities of WHO. The Taiwan health experts can also get health information timely. As a matter of fact, the WHO officials can send information to Taiwan by a clicking of mouse.
Obviously, Hou’s article is just a piece hyping for “Taiwan Independence” under the pretext of health welfare of people in Taiwan. Maybe he thought such tricks arouse more sympathy from and gain more market in the international community. But I am sure that any well-informed person can easily see through such shabby tricks.
On May 20, Mr. Ma Ying Jeou, the new leader of Taiwan authority, assumed office. In his inaugural speech, Mr. Ma recognized that the two sides across the Straits reached a consensus on “one China” in 1992. Since then, many rounds of negotiations were then completed, spurring the development of cross-strait relations. He reiterated that, based on the “1992 Consensus”, cross-strait negotiations should resume at the earliest time possible.
On April 29, HU Jintao, General Secretary of the Communist Party of China met with Lien Chan, Honorary Chairman of Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT). During the meeting, HU Jintao called for resumption of cross-strait talks on the basis of “1992 consensus” as early as possible, to resolve problems in a practical manner, make substantial efforts for the welfare of the Chinese compatriots on both sides and seek peace across the strait.
On May 22, Chen Yunlin, Director of the Taiwan Affairs office of the State Council said that there are positive changes in the situation in Taiwan as the result of the efforts by compatriots across the straits, the improving cross-strait relations provides a precious opportunity for both sides of the Taiwan Straits. He hoped that people on both sides bear in mind the well-being of compatriots across the Strait and the interests of Chinese nation as a whole. He also urged those who used to advocate or engage in activities for “Taiwan Independence” to return to the correct path of peaceful development of cross-strait relations.
It is confirmed by the official of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council that Mr. Wu Poh-hsuing, Chairman of Kuomintang (KMT) will visit the mainland on 26-31 May.
Alas, the swan’s last screech came out way too late. But Hou Sheng Mou still has time to go back on to the right path.
