Taipei: Premier Cho Jung-tai on Tuesday called for stronger legal scrutiny of Taiwanese political leaders' exchanges with Beijing, amid an ongoing trip to China by opposition Kuomintang (KMT) Chairperson Cheng Li-wun.
According to Focus Taiwan, Cho emphasized during a legislative session that Taiwan's political leaders should avoid surrendering to China through nonresistance or inaction. He advocated for strengthening existing laws governing exchanges between Taiwanese leaders and China to safeguard national security.
The Cabinet has put forward amendments to the Act Governing Relations between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area. These amendments would legally require lawmakers to disclose information and contacts with Chinese political and military figures.
Ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Puma Shen proposed that the act should encompass the cross-strait activities of all political party leaders in Taiwan, regardless of whether they currently hold elected office. Shen's suggestion aims to ensure comprehensive oversight of such interactions.
Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) head Chiu Chui-cheng, addressing the same session, expressed support for Shen's proposal but emphasized that any legal changes need careful consideration due to the diverse political landscape in Taiwan.
Regarding Cheng's trip, Chiu advised that the KMT chair should urge Beijing to cease military provocations around Taiwan and acknowledge the Republic of China's existence, democratic values, and way of life. He warned against Cheng becoming a tool of the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) efforts to divide Taiwan by following the CCP's political script.
Cheng's delegation departed for China on Tuesday at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, with the visit scheduled to continue through April 12.