Legislature imposes constraints on MAC head ahead of China trip

Taipei, Jan. 14 (CNA) The Legislative Yuan passed a resolution on Tuesday that calls on Taiwan's top official on China affairs to refrain from touching on issues that threaten Taiwan's sovereignty during his planned visit to China in February.

The resolution stipulates in part that Mainland Affairs Council head Wang Yu-chi should not "accept" or "echo" any statements or positions that advocate a "one-China framework" or "opposition to Taiwan independence."

It also forbids Wang to sign any documents, engage in negotiations, or issue news releases that touch on such political issues as "one China," "one country, two regions," "military confidence-building mechanism," "peace agreement," or "political relations arrangement in stages."

Wang is also required to report on his trip to the Legislature after he returns to Taiwan, the resolution said.

He will be held politically responsible if he fails to respect the resolution, according to the Legislative Yuan.

Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng explained on Jan. 11 that the resolution was agreed to by parties across political lines and the MAC, and by attaching it to the budget bill, which also passed Tuesday, it is as legally binding as the main budget legislation.

The mainland affairs minister is scheduled to visit China in the second half of February and will meet with his Chinese counterpart, Zhang Zhijun, head of the State Council's Taiwan Affairs Office.

It will be Wang's first visit to China in his official capacity and the first formal meeting between the two officials tasked with handling ties across the Taiwan Strait.

On Jan. 10, Wang's office pledged that he will not touch on politically sensitive issues or echo claims related to the "one China framework."