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Tsai hopes PRC takes
it easy on student ¡¥fan¡¦
MADE IT ACROSS: A Chinese student¡¦s remarks in
praise of Tsai Ing-wen have reportedly prompted him to decide to go back home to
engage in self-criticism
By Rich Chang / Staff Reporter
Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen (½²^¤å) yesterday said
she hoped Chinese authorities would not make things difficult for a Chinese
student studying in Taiwan who recently expressed open support for her.
During a chat on Tuesday with a 300-student audience at Shih Hsin University in
Taipei, of which about two-fifths were exchange students from China, one Chinese
student surnamed Dai (À¹) said he was a long-time admirer of Tsai, adding at the
time that he hoped his remarks ¡§don¡¦t make it back across the Strait.¡¨
However, after it was broadcast on television and on the Internet, Dai the next
day reportedly posted a message on his Facebook page saying he, a native of
Zhejiang Province, planned to return home soon to clear up the matter with the
Zhejiang branch of the Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) and engage in self-criticism
with the office.
¡§The matter highlights the difference between Taiwan and China,¡¨ Tsai said
yesterday when approached by reporters for a comment on the matter.
¡§What the student had done is a common thing in Taiwan. And if the student thus
has to be investigated by Chinese authorities, then we have to rethink why there
is a huge difference between the two sides,¡¨ she added.
According to Lee Kung-chin (§õ¥\¶Ô), head secretary at Shih Hsin University, Dai
was not recalled by Chinese authorities over the matter.
Lee said after TV news reports broadcast the clip of Dai¡¦s remarks, Dai
encountered various criticisms and pressure, so he contacted Zhejiang¡¦s TAO on
his own initiative.
According to Lee, the Zhejiang TAO, citing freedom of expression, told Dai that
there was no need to change his schedule and rush back to China over the matter.
Lee added that the TAO instead encouraged Dai to keep up with his studies in
Taiwan.
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