| Subjects: |
- The mutual establishment of permanent offices by media agencies across the Strait Must Await SEF/ARATS Negotiations
- Since Justin Lin’s defection case is still being heard, the MAC has no comment on this matter
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MAC Regular Press Briefing
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Briefer : Johnnason Liu, Deputy Minister
Date : July 23, 2009
Location : Taipei |
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
The mutual establishment of permanent offices by media agencies across
the Strait must await SEF/ARATS negotiations
QUESTION: Did the MAC Consultative Committee Meeting held
today (23rd) discuss the issue of mutually setting up permanent offices by media
agencies across the Strait? What were the views of those attending?
DEPUTY MINISTER LIU: Today's meeting studied the overall impact
of the Internet on mainland China. Those attending the meeting did not discuss
the mutual setting up of permanent offices by media agencies across the Strait.
QUESTION: Mainland Chinese State Council’s Taiwan Affairs
Office Spokesman Yang Yi is about to visit Taiwan. During his visit both sides
will certainly exchange views on the mutual setting up of media permanent offices.
Is it necessary that in the future the issue be negotiated between the SEF and
the ARATS? Or will it be sufficient for the Taiwan side unilaterally to pass
laws and regulations and carry it out?
DEPUTY MINISTER LIU:
■ The upcoming visit of the “ARATS media exchange delegation” follows that
of ARATS Deputy Chairman An Min and Director Zhou Ning of the Law and Regulation
Bureau under the Taiwan Affairs Office. It is the third cross-strait exchange
delegation between the SEF and the ARATS. The nature of this visit is the same
as that of earlier economic and trade and legal exchange delegations. The main
purpose of this visit is to increase the understanding of the media development
environment on both sides and the laws and regulations that govern it on either
side of the Strait. In addition to symposia, the itinerary will include visits
to important local news media agencies. The other side will also give briefings
of its own on a number of occasions. Even though both sides will raise the issue
of establishing cross-strait permanent media branches in their meetings and
symposia, this issue will have to be a part of further discussions between the
SEF and the ARATS. This delegation, however, has no plans to do so.
■ As far as the Taiwan side is concerned, the MAC must still consult the opinions
of the relevant agencies including the Government Information Office, so that
we can handle related matters.
QUESTION: Some Taiwanese media are still barred by the Mainland
side from sending reporters to cover news in mainland China. Are we thinking
about requesting the other side to lift the ban against Taiwanese media on an
equal basis?
DEPUTY MINISTER LIU: Taiwan’s media agencies have all gone
through a legal application process. Their freedom of news coverage should be
fully respected. We hope the Mainland will accord Taiwan media reporters all
necessary respect, as well as freedom of entry and exit. We have made this opinion
abundantly clear to the other side.
Since Justin Yifu Lin’s defection case is still being heard, the MAC has no
comment on this matter
QUESTION: On the Justin Yifu Lin’s defection case, the Control
Yuan today (23rd) once again issued a correction to the MND. What influence
would a visit of Lin Yifu to his home in Taiwan have on cross-strait relations
in the MAC's opinion? Is there a legal way to solve this problem?
DEPUTY MINISTER LIU: This case is still currently being heard
in a military court, and the MAC has never commented on any cases being put
on trial. Several years ago, however, the litigant expressed his intention to
apply to return home to attend a funeral. At that time, the MAC gave approval
due to humanitarian considerations, but reminded him of the need to properly
face this military law case. In the end, the litigant did not submit his application.
The MAC respected his decision.