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DPP slams visit to
China by ex-military officials
By Lee Hsin-fang and Jason Pan / Staff reporter, with staff
writer and CNA
A delegation of retired military officers left for China yesterday on a
week-long visit that they described as an effort to push for cross-strait
military confidence-building measures, although the Ministry of National Defense
was quick to distance itself from the trip and the Democratic Progressive Party
(DPP) criticized it for “causing discord and antagonism in society.”
The group, led by pro-unification New Alliance Association chairman Hsu Li-nung
(許歷農), comprises former members of the Taiwanese army, navy and air force.
Hsu said shortly before his departure that the delegation hopes that military
confidence-building measures can be established between the two sides of the
strait.
During the visit, the delegates will conduct dialogue with high-ranking Chinese
military officials, military experts and retired military personnel, he said,
adding that they would pass their opinions on to the government on their return.
The group is expected to meet with members of China’s Central Military
Commission and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference. They will
also visit some units within the People’s Liberation Army, officials at the
Taiwan Affairs Office, Beijing Aerospace Town and the Whampoa Military Academy.
The ministry said in a statement that the visit is only being made by retired
military officers and only in a private capacity. The ministry added that it has
never authorized any organizations or individuals to discuss issues related to
military confidence-building measures with Beijing.
It warned the delegation to be careful with their words and conduct while in
China.
DPP spokesperson Lin Chun-hsien (林俊憲) yesterday said “the repeated visits to
China by retired generals causes discord and antagonism in society.”
“President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) is the commander-in-chief of our armed forces, but
he vacillates on this issue,” Lin said, “The DPP demands Ma abide by his duty
and responsibility, and clearly spell out his stance and tell us what action he
is going to take to deal with this matter.”
Lin noted a recently released US Department of Defense report, which clearly
outlined China’s military threat to Taiwan.
“How are our soldiers supposed to feel when they are hard at work defending our
homeland, while at the same time they see former military officers being invited
to big banquets and wined and dined by Chinese authorities?” Lin asked.
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