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US congressman’s
support in question
STATE POLICY? The pro-Taiwan representative is
seeking a full explanation as to why Chunghwa Telecom is refusing to renew
satellite services for a ‘pro-democracy’ channel
By William Lowther / Staff Reporter in WASHINGTON
US Representative Dana Rohrabacher is threatening to end his strong legislative
support for Taiwan as a result of Chunghwa Telecom’s (CHT, 中華電信) decision to
terminate satellite services for “pro--democracy” channel New Tang Dynasty
Television (新唐人電視台, NTDTV).
“If Taiwan does not support the struggle for freedom of thought within China, I
see no need for America to support Taiwan,” Rohrabacher said in a letter sent on
Wednesday to President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九).
Rohrabacher, a California Republican, has been one of the most ardent pro-Taiwan
representatives in Washington.
Over the past few months he has been urging US President Barack Obama to sell
advanced F-16 fighter jets to Taiwan.
Two years ago, he resigned from the Taiwan Caucus after saying that Ma was
working with autocratic China rather than fighting it.
Rohrabacher said in his letter to Ma: “As a founder of the Taiwan Caucus in the
US House of Representatives, I have always felt that democracy and freedom are
bonds that tie our two nations together.”
“I would be interested to know if CHT’s decision does reflect higher state
policy. The democratic government of Taiwan should be encouraging the spread of
ideas favoring freedom and traditional values across the Strait,” he said.
He is seeking a full explanation of why CHT has refused to renew its agreement
with NTDTV.
New Tang Dynasty relies on CHT for broadcast services in both Taiwan and China.
NTDTV was founded by members of Falun Gong. Beijing has tried to stop the
pro-democracy broadcasts in the past and maintains a stringent regime of
censorship.
In a statement issued by his office, the congressman said that Taiwan’s Ministry
of Transportation and Communications is the largest shareholder of CHT and its
board includes several government officials.
The statement added that Rohrabacher, chairman of the US House Foreign Affairs
subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, held a hearing on April 6
exploring the important role broadcasting plays in the promotion of democratic
sentiments in tyrannical regimes, including China.
“This action by Chunghwa Telecom is another step in the long road of free
nations disarming themselves in the fight against Chinese communist repression,”
Rohrabacher’s letter said.
“NTD broadcasts to China help break the Chinese blockade on free information and
have a multiplying effect that add to what Voice of America and the Board of
Broadcast Governors do to bring truth to the people of China,” he said. “The
Chinese regime spends billions every year on worldwide propaganda efforts while
free broadcasting to China is being dramatically reduced.”
NTDTV has said in a statement it has been leasing CHT’s ST-1 satellite to air
programs from overseas.
The contract expires on Aug. 9 and NTDTV is -obligated to apply to renew the
lease three months prior to the contract’s expiration.
CHT refused to renew the contract on the grounds that it will start using a new
satellite, ST-2, which it said does not have enough bandwidth to provide quality
service because the new satellite will have fewer transponders.
NTDTV has said the decision was made to please Beijing because CHT is expanding
its market in China.
CHT on Wednesday again said that, the telecoms company decided not to renew the
contract with NTDTV as a result of the decreased bandwidth. It denied the
decision was politically motivated.
ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY SHELLEY SHAN
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