Taiwan's MAC Bans Local Chiefs from Attending Strait Forum; KMT Says Politics Over People's Livelihood

(Central News Agency, Taipei, June 11) The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) announced a ban on central government agencies, local government civil servants, and public officials from participating in activities related to the Strait Forum. Lin Pei-hsiang, Secretary-General of the Kuomintang (KMT) caucus in the Legislative Yuan, stated today that the MAC's prohibition on local chiefs attending the Strait Forum demonstrates that political considerations are overriding people's livelihoods and shows a lack of respect for local governance.

The Strait Forum is scheduled to be held in mid-June in Xiamen, Fujian Province, China. On June 4, the MAC announced a new policy banning central government agencies, local government civil servants, and public officials from participating in Strait Forum-related activities. MAC Deputy Minister and Spokesperson Liang Wen-chieh stated that the Strait Forum is a platform for the Chinese Communist Party's united front work against Taiwan, using the guise of cross-strait exchanges to conduct infiltration and unification activities against Taiwanese society.

In a press release issued today, KMT caucus Secretary-General Lin Pei-hsiang pointed out that while the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) government constantly emphasizes democracy, freedom, and pluralistic openness, it prioritizes political ideology over people's rights when it comes to cross-strait exchanges, stigmatizing and politicizing normal interactions. He questioned whether Taiwan is truly a free and democratic society, or one that can only accept the positions dictated by the ruling party.

Lin noted that MAC Minister Chiu Chui-cheng personally attended the Strait Forum in 2009, stating at the time that he wanted to use the opportunity to understand the situation in mainland China. Lin criticized that if it was acceptable to attend to observe the situation back then, it is hypocritical to now treat such exchanges as a threat.

Lin emphasized that the MAC's ban on local chiefs attending the Strait Forum is a case of political considerations overriding people's livelihoods and a disrespect for local governance. He stated that Taitung County Magistrate Rao Ching-ling's purpose for attending the event was very clear: to find markets and seek business opportunities for Taitung's farmers and local economy. If local efforts to expand business opportunities are hindered due to political stances, the ultimate victims will be grassroots farmers, fishermen, and all people who depend on the local economy for their livelihoods.

KMT caucus Deputy Secretary-General Huang Chien-pin stated that local chiefs attending the Strait Forum are working for the economy and people's livelihoods, and the central government should not view local efforts to explore business opportunities through an ideological lens. If the central government demands that local governments refrain from contacting markets but fails to provide better alternatives, it will be the grassroots farmers who suffer.

The KMT caucus formally demanded that the MAC publicly explain the legal basis and scope of application for restricting such exchange activities, clearly state which future exchange activities will be restricted to avoid confusion, and explain to the public the government's overall policy direction on cross-strait exchanges, whether it intends to comprehensively restrict cross-strait interactions, and the potential impact on Taiwan's economy and people's livelihoods. (Editor: Su Lung-chi) 1150611