OCCUPATION:A policy address by Premier Mao Chi-kuo was delayed due to three Taiwan Solidarity Union lawmakers occupying the legislative speaker’s podium
Taipei Times
Date: Sep 26, 2015
By: Alison Hsiao / Staff reporter
The Legislative Yuan yesterday afternoon issued a statement protesting China’s
From left, Taiwan Solidarity Union legislators Yeh Chin-ling, Lai Chen-chang and Chou Ni-an hold up signs protesting against China over its new smartcard-like “Taiwan compatriot travel document” at the Legislative Yuan in Taipei yesterday. Photo: Liao Chen-huei, Taipei Times
introduction of a new travel pass for Taiwanese, following a delay to Premier Mao Chi-kuo’s (毛治國) policy address due to Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU) lawmakers occupying the legislative speaker’s podium in the morning.
The three TSU lawmakers occupied the podium and held up signs accusing China’s unilateral launch of the new smartcard-like “Taiwan compatriot travel document” (台胞證) as a unilateral change to the “status quo,” saying that cross-strait exchanges should be halted.
A cross-party negotiation was held, presided over by Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng (王金平), resulting in a joint statement requiring Mao to present a special report on the issue, alongside his policy report.
“Also, based on the principle of reciprocal respect and equal footing, [we] demand that [Beijing] conduct sufficient communication and negotiation with [Taiwan] on issues concerning the rights of people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait in cross-strait exchanges. The executive branch should make sure that it [adheres to this directive] and protests to [China] in order to sternly express our stance and maintain the dignity of the nation’s sovereignty,” the statement said. [FULL STORY]
