An annual forum between the cities of Shanghai and Taipei to promote dialogue across the Taiwan Strait has opened about six months late amid tensions in the region.
The Shanghai-Taipei city forum opened in the capital of the self-governing island on Monday with a visit by Hua Yuan, deputy mayor of China’s largest city, chaired by Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an.
In his opening remarks, Chiang acknowledged recent tensions between Beijing and the island, which he considers his territory, and vowed to take it by force if necessary.
Last week, the Chinese military deployed a “staggering” number of ships and aircraft in the seas and skies around the island, which analysts say could be aimed at setting “red lines” for a future administration of the United States, Taiwan’s main ally. Chiang told the visiting Chinese delegates at the forum:
“I always say that the more tense and difficult the moment, the more we need to communicate. More dialogue and less confrontation; more olive branches of peace and less sour grapes of conflict. More lights from fishing boats to adorn the sunset; less of the howls of ships and aircraft.”
Chiang, a member of Taiwan’s main opposition Kuomintang party, which has traditionally favoured closer cross-strait ties while rejecting accusations of being pro-Beijing, is widely seen as a possible presidential candidate.
Forum delay
The forum is an annual platform for dialogue and co-operation between the two cities. Founded in 2010, it serves as a semi-official channel for communication, focusing on practical issues such as economic co-operation, tourism, education, culture and public services. It is seen as a useful channel for people-to-people exchanges, especially when official links between the two cities are limited.
This year’s forum was originally planned for July or August, but was postponed as tensions raised doubts about the schedule until an agenda was drawn up at the end of the year.
Last week, as tensions rose over China’s show of force, Taiwan barred Jin Mei, director of the Taiwan Affairs Office, and nine Chinese media personnel from entering Shanghai.
