Only Chinese-approved political views allowed on forum's agenda
Taiwan News
Date: 2020/09/21
By: Matthew Strong, Taiwan News, Staff Writer
The affair was more subdued than ever before, with the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic keeping people home, and even Taiwan’s main opposition Kuomintang (KMT) stayed away due to insulting remarks by a Chinese television anchor.
Even the supposed host of the event, Wang Yang (汪洋), the chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, only addressed the Sept. 16 meeting via videoconference.
While officials emphasize that the forum is a grassroots event relying on private citizens, the preconditions are purely political, with China’s view of Taiwan’s status a prerequisite. Right from the opening address, the speeches emphasize unification and condemn independence for Taiwan, CNA reported. [FULL STORY]