MAC Minister Chiu: 2009 Straits Forum Visit Confirmed It as a 'United Front' Platform

Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) Minister Chiu Chui-cheng stated in a radio interview on the 18th that his experience attending the 1st Straits Forum in 2009 led him to conclude it was a 'United Front' platform designed by the CCP. At the time, Chiu was a professor at Quemoy (Kinmen) University and visited Xiamen for student exchange discussions. He attended the forum's periphery to observe and interview mainland scholars and officials. He noted that while there were no restrictions then, his first-hand observation revealed the forum was a staged event for political propaganda rather than a venue for equal and dignified exchange.

Chiu explained that he wrote a report upon his return to warn academic and government circles about the risks of such platforms. He pointed out that government bans on central officials' attendance began as early as 2012 under the Ma Ying-jeou administration. Since 2019, following Xi Jinping's 'One Country, Two Systems Taiwan Scheme,' the CCP's influence operations have become more direct and aggressive, necessitating the current government's cautionary stance for private citizens.

Regarding rumors that KMT Legislator Chen Yu-jen invited Chinese actor Zhang Linghe to Kinmen, Chiu said no application has been received. He added that the government would provide assistance if any application meets the requirements for reciprocal, healthy, and orderly exchange without United Front concerns.