TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Mainland Affairs Council Minister Chiu Chui-cheng (邱垂正) on Wednesday criticized the Taipei City Government for organizing a welcome ceremony for two red pandas from Shanghai, arguing the event was part of China’s united front tactics.
The MAC reportedly barred Shanghai Deputy Secretary-General Zhang Yuxin, Shanghai Taiwan Affairs Office Director Jin Mei, Deputy Director Li Xiaodong, and an accompanying media delegation from entering Taiwan, per NOWNews.
Chiu said that although the Taipei City Government had inquired about the visit, it never formally applied for the officials’ entry permits, per NOWNews. He added that the planned event raised concerns about potential united front activities.
Taipei Deputy Mayor Lin Yi-hua (林奕華) disputed that account, saying the city government did not proceed with the next stage of the application process or contact the National Immigration Agency after the MAC informed it that Zhang, Jin, Li, and two other officials would not be permitted to enter Taiwan, per Liberty Times. She added that Taipei had formally submitted its application on June 17 and urged the MAC to review its records.
Lin said the exchange was conducted under agreements between Taipei Zoo and Shanghai Zoo and was intended to promote species conservation and genetic diversity. She argued that the MAC had politicized the exchange.
Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安) echoed that view, saying the red pandas symbolize Taipei Zoo’s commitment to conserving endangered species and represent an achievement of the Taipei-Shanghai City Forum, per RTI. He rejected Chiu’s characterization of the event as part of China’s united front tactics.
China’s Taiwan Affairs Office spokesperson Chen Binhua condemned the MAC’s decision, saying it obstructed cross-strait exchanges, per China Times. He said the move reflected the DPP’s “tendency toward confrontation and Taiwan independence.”
Responding to lawmakers’ questions, Chiu maintained that the event itself was part of China’s united front tactics and said Jin’s planned attendance was particularly inappropriate, per ETtoday. He added that the Shanghai Taiwan Affairs Office has previously prevented Taiwanese businesspeople from returning to Taiwan to attend events organized by Taiwan’s Straits Exchange Foundation.
Chiu also questioned why the Taipei City Government did not hold a similar ceremony for Chien Chien (茜茜), a red panda that arrived at Taipei Zoo in May, per CNA. The zoo said at the time that Chien Chien came from Asahiyama Zoo through a recommendation by the International Red Panda Coordinator and coordination by the Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
The DPP legislative caucus voiced similar concerns. Caucus official Fan Yun (范雲) said Taipei Zoo should be able to cooperate with zoos around the world, particularly those in democratic countries, per SETN. Fan added that exchanges with political conditions attached were unwelcome and said the MAC was reminding the public that China often pursues political objectives through such exchanges.
DPP caucus official Chen Pei-yu (陳培瑜) called on Chiang to explain why the city organized the event. She said he should clarify whether he understood what she described as the united front purpose behind the ceremony and what political objective he hoped to achieve.
KMT Taipei City Councilor Chin Huei-chu (秦慧珠) rejected the DPP’s characterization, noting that Chinese officials have attended events in Taipei for more than a decade under previous KMT and TPP city administrations without major controversy, per UDN. She argued that if welcoming red pandas is considered part of China’s united front tactics, the MAC should not have allowed the animals to enter Taiwan.
