KMT Vice Chairman Andrew Hsia met with TAO Director Song Tao amid Chinese military drills near Taiwan, asserting commitment to the ‘1992 consensus’ for cross-strait cooperation. DPP criticized KMT’s actions as undermining Taiwan’s sovereignty. Legal actions may follow for Taiwanese entertainers promoting CCP propaganda. TPP Chairman calls for the release of former Taipei mayor Ko Wen-je due to health concerns.

On Wednesday, Andrew Hsia, Vice Chairman of the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT), met with Song Tao, Director of China’s Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO), coinciding with military drills conducted by Beijing around Taiwan. Leading a KMT delegation, Hsia departed for China last Saturday, aiming to enhance cross-strait exchanges.

During a meeting with a Henan official, Hsia affirmed the KMT’s commitment to the “1992 consensus,” emphasizing cooperation across trade, technology, and cultural spheres. This consensus, which acknowledges a shared understanding of “one China,” has been controversial and was publicly admitted as a fabrication by former Mainland Affairs Council chairman Su Chi in 2006.

Despite ongoing military exercises by the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA), Hsia met with Tao in Xuzhou. These drills were characterized by the TAO as a direct warning against proponents of “Taiwan independence.” Notably, Hsia stated, “Both sides of the Strait belong to one China. All differences can be resolved because Taiwanese and mainlanders are both Chinese.”

In response to President William Lai’s characterization of China as a “foreign hostile force,” Song asserted, “The two sides of the Strait are one family, not enemies.” Political analysts, including Professor Hung Chin-fu from National Cheng Kung University, criticized Hsia’s meeting, implying it suggested a lack of defense for Taiwan’s sovereignty.

The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) added that the KMT’s continued engagement with Beijing during military drills is troubling. DPP spokesman Justin Wu emphasized that political parties should defend Taiwan’s sovereignty, especially amid heightened military tensions in the region.

Meanwhile, Taiwanese entertainers promoting Chinese Communist Party propaganda online may face legal repercussions. The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) is set to investigate individuals who have violated cross-strait regulations, as reports emerge of Taiwanese artists sharing pro-CCP sentiments on their social media platforms.

Additionally, Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) Chairman Huang Kuo-chang has appealed for the release of former Taipei mayor Ko Wen-je from pretrial detention due to concerns regarding his deteriorating health, with reports indicating serious medical issues that require immediate attention.

In summary, the recent meeting between KMT Vice Chairman Andrew Hsia and TAO Director Song Tao underscores a continued engagement between Taiwan and Beijing amidst military tensions. The KMT’s adherence to the ‘1992 consensus’ and the criticism from the DPP regarding Taiwan’s sovereignty raises significant questions about political responsibility in Taiwan’s governance. Furthermore, ongoing investigations into Taiwanese entertainers collaborating with the CCP highlight the complexities of cross-strait relations. Finally, concerns over former mayor Ko Wen-je’s health emphasize the vulnerabilities within Taiwan’s political landscape.

Original Source: www.taipeitimes.com

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