TAIWAN: No Net blackout, MAC asks China

Xinhua and People's Daily reporters might be allowed back into Taiwan if Beijing agrees to unblock two Taiwanese internet news outlets

Taipei Times
Thursday, April 28, 2005

Taiwan would be willing to reopen its doors to two Chinese media outlets so long as Beijing lifts its blackout against the online versions of two Taipei-based newspapers and refrains from blocking its local press groups from posting reporters in Taiwan, a senior official said yesterday.

Mainland Affairs Council Vice Chairman David Huang made the remarks while delivering a report on the state of journalistic exchanges across the Taiwan Strait at a Education and Culture Committee meeting at the legislature.

On April 10 the council suspended permits allowing China's state-controlled Xinhua News Agency and the People's Daily newspaper to post correspondents on the grounds that the two outlets had repeatedly abused their privileges by turning out misleading reports about Taiwan.

Huang said the bans are temporary in nature and that the council will decide whether to lift the bans in terms of China's response to Taiwan's call for constructive cross-strait journalistic exchanges.

If China removes its blockade against the online editions of the China Times and United Daily News and refrains from obstructing its local newspapers from sending correspondents to Taiwan, Huang said, the council would be willing to consider resuming its permits for Xinhua and the People's Daily.

Speaking on the same occasion, Minister of the Government Information Office (GIO) Pasuya Yao said the Chinese authorities still regard their media outlets as party organs or propaganda machines dedicated to publicizing their policies and promoting their "united front" tactics.

As China has deliberately blocked Taiwanese media outlets' Internet Web sites, Yao said, people there have had limited access to Taiwan-related information.

He said the GIO will continue to promote cross-strait journalistic exchanges in terms of the government's fundamental cross-strait policy of "active opening and effective management."

The government first allowed Chinese media to post reporters in this country in late 2000. Besides Xinhua and the People's Daily, the China Central Television, China News Agency and China National Radio have also posted journalists here.

Each of them is allowed to send two reporters at a time, rotating them out each month.

Date Posted: 4/28/2005