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---"Focused Coverage Informed Perspectives"---Tue, Oct 28, 1997 edition

Summit Coverage: Jiang is in Williamsburg

Also in this edition . . . 1: Hang Seng: plunge continues 2: China signs covenant, nullifying Taiwan's signature 3: Jiang puts on 'tricon,' and cooperation grows 4: Jiang's trip serves local audience 5: Taiwan convenes secret meetings to assess summit's impact 6: poll reveals American attitudes about China and Asia 7: Hawaii marks first leg of Jiang visit 8: Russia: next month's summit to reveal breakthrough in border demarcation 9: intensive KMT campaigning closes gap 10: Taichung mayoral candidate puts forward platform 11: convicted KMT member shows reversal of fortunes 12: President fends off calls for direct links 13: trade figures reveal increasing linkages 14: Chad's President comes to town 15: with Taipower set to add 4th nuke plant, protests heat up 16: government signals 'green' for 11th consecutive time 17: accident leaves arms hanging and mayor apologetic 18: mayor permits spokesman to step down, denies 'sacrificing pawn 19: are you crazy?: Soong denies relations with Pres. Lee have soured

MARKETS

Hang Seng: plunge continues ( HK Stocks Collapse, Close on Biggest Point Loss Ever ) The Hang Seng fell again on Tuesday, plunging "1,438.31 points, or 13.70 percent, to close at 9,059.89 after hitting a 26-month low of 8,775.88 earlier in the day," reports Reuters. Chief Executive Tung Chi-hwa attributed the market's performance to volatility on Wall Street and reaffirmed his confidence in the economy's overall stability and health. . . .

SUMMIT COVERAGE

Human rights: China signs covenant, nullifying Taiwan's signature ( State signs international covenant on rights ) China's ambassador to the United Nations, Qin Huasun, signed the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights on Monday at the United Nations, reports the China Daily. In doing so, Mr Qin "declared the signature affixed to the covenant by Taiwanese authorities using the name of 'China' on October 5, 1967 was illegal, null and void," writes the paper. Williamsburg: Jiang puts on 'tricon,' and cooperation grows ( China, US share care for peace ) Jiang Zemin was in Colonial Williamsburg today where he, in Deng fashion (but not the fashion of a cowboy) donned a "tricorn," a three-cornered hat popular in the early 18th century. Jiang has been all smiles since he touched down in Honolulu on Sunday and wearing the hat, he smiled some more. In what sounds like something President ?Clinton would say, Jiang said both countries share common interests in maintaining world peace and security at a time when 'major and profound changes' are taking place globally, writes the China Daily. "Both peoples 'have made an important contribution to human civilization in the past,' the paper quotes Jiang. The report also mentions the trade delegation, which is concurrently awarding contracts to US firms around the company. Noting remarks made by a Chinese trade official, the paper reports: "China plans to buy more Boeing aircraft, purchase 700,000 tons of US wheat, despite China's good harvest this year, and increase its co-operation with the US in oil exploration and the manufacture of engines for light trucks." In aerospace, "China's National Space Agency and the US Trade Representative Office also signed an 'Agreement on Pricing Comparability Factors for the Commercial Launching Service of Low-Orbit Satellites'," writes the paper. "Meanwhile, Sun Zhenyu, deputy leader of the delegation and deputy minister of foreign trade and economic co-operation, told the press that the Chinese Government has realized how sensitive US politics is to its trade deficit with China." See also Inside China: China's Jiang Steps into U.S. History in Virginia Domestic politics: Jiang's trip serves local audience ( In Chinese Politics, Too, All Photo Ops Are Local ) Seth Faison, the New York Times Beijing correspondent, is travelling with the President, and points out for us that the carefully-planned itinerary is mostly staged for audiences at home in China. Interestingly, Faison says that public opinion weighs heavily in the rise and fall of a political leader. And while Jiang intends to impress China's elite with his ability to appear strong and capable. The images of Jiang in America, moving from city to city, donning hats and taking swims in Waikiki, will undoubtedly be incorporated into the regular diet of political imagery fed to viewers at home. In this sense, the summit's significance for Jiang will be in shoring up his support and ratifying his position. Faison says viewers in the mainland will compare this summit with Deng Xiaoping's one in 1979. The trip came a month after the Party Congress put Deng in power and endorsed new economic reforms, writes Faison, and the trip served to demonstrate that the international community recognized his leadership and that his talents in domestic politics were not lost on foreign policy. "Similarly, this year's trip comes shortly after Jiang's own success at a Communist Party Congress, where he established himself as China's current leader. His trip is likewise intended to show that he is both firmly in charge of his nation and capable of conducting foreign affairs," writes Faison. ( Policy Crowd Lags Behind China Traders ) In a related article the New York Times discusses a powerful and perhaps more fully developed aspect to Sino-US relations: the business community and the extensive web of contacts and influence in the mainland. The article exemplifies this by noting how Craig Barrett, president of Intel, met with Jiang Zemin at Zhongnanhai earlier this summer. The two of course discussed computers and internet technologies, but the level of access afforded to US executives speaks to the influence they cast. The Times writes, while US diplomacy has been marked by its quest to 'manage' Chinese relations and China's behaviour on the international scene, US businesses have fretted over domestic matters in China, over the level of privatization and access to markets. The Times says that such concerns are growing. As Sino-US relations are warming, the business aspect of the relationship is chilling. "American investment in China actually declined last year by 7 percent, and the number of contracts signed -- the rough equivalent of looking at the numbers of shares traded on a stock exchange -- fell by 28 percent." American firms complain of limited access to markets, deals which would merely pilfer technology from American companies in order to establish domestic competitors, and so on. Summit: Taiwan convenes secret meetings to assess summit's impact (Source: The China Post) The China Post reports today that the President's Office has convened two high-level secret meetings to prepare for possible fallout from the summit. "The meetings, which are led by Ding Mou-shih, head of the National Security Council, are meant to plan for possible developments from Wednesday's summit and their impact on Taiwan. They reflect a deep but guarded concern over the summit." A third meeting will be conducted after the summit concludes, reports the paper, and will coincide with the departure of top officials who will head to the United States to assess the "impact on US-Taiwan relations," the paper writes. The paper notes the meetings come at a time when the government still publicly espouses its faith in US promises not to compromise relations, especially in trade and military support. But clearly the summit heralds a new era in Sino-US relations and Taiwan's government wants to be prepared, if its interests are sidelined by shifts in US policy. Perceptions: poll reveals American attitudes about China and Asia ( Mainland seen as a serious problem: poll ) The South China Morning Post reports on a recent poll of 2,000 Americans gauging their views on China. The poll was conducted by Pew Research center for the People & the Press. Of those polled 46% said China posed a serious problem for the US 14% said China was an adversary of the US 32% said China was not much of a problem. When broken down further the poll suggests 'pessimism' was highest among 'influential Americans' in such fields as business, finance, politics, religion and labour leadership. 16% said China was an adversary of the US 73% said China was a serious problem for the US Perhaps the most revealing result, however, is that most 'ordinary Americans,' or 61 percent of those polled, said Asia has little impact on their daily lives. . . . Tibet: ( frontline: dreams of tibet ) PBS is exploring Tibet in a Frontline report entitled "Dreams of Tibet". The web site contains various resources on the topic, and sways heavily toward exploring issues on human rights, Hollywood's portrayal of the place, and interviews with Henry Kissinger, Andrew Nathan and others. Jiang Zemin: Hawaii marks first leg of Jiang visit (from Mon, Oct 27, 1997 'mini' edition) The first leg of Jiang Zemin's trip ended with his departure from Hawaii earlier today. Boarding an Air China Boeing 747 at Hickman Airforce base on Oahu, the President was escorted by Governor Ben Cayetano; his wife Vicky; Adm. Joseph Prueher, Pacific Forces commander; and James Sasser, the U.S. Ambassador to China. The departure was contrasted to his arrival the day earlier when a 21-gun salute of howitzers, full military honour guard, and some 200 students welcomed him to the cross-roads of the Pacific. In the day he was there the President carried a full schedule. With Foreign Minister Chen Qichen the two payed their respects to those Americans who perished in the Japanese attack on the island, tossing a lavender lei of Hawaiian flowers into the water at the Arizona Memorial. A small group of protestors were escorted from the area which is under Federal jurisdiction. The President managed to sneak a swim at Waikiki, and later was honoured a t a banquet hosted by Governor Cayetano and his wife. Some 100 protestors chanted through bullhorns as they stood in waiting outside Washington Place, the location of the dinner. Governor Cayatano told his guest to pay no attention and to enjoy himself. Tibet, Taiwan and human rights constituted the core of the protestor's concerns. Earlier in the day Jiang payed a visit to Iolani high school at the behest of sophomore Stanley Chang. According to the Honolulu Star-Bulletin, the young man had asked his Asian studies teacher a month earlier whether the President could call on his class. Today an orange sapling, a symbol of good luck, was presented to Jiang. And in return an autographed picture of the President was given to the class; it will be made into a plaque. By the way, Stanley Chang is the son of a former teacher of mine, Chang Sen-dou, an enthusiastic and active student of the land from which he emigrated some thirty years ago. On his arrival Jiang read a prepared speech to the crowd. In one sense it was intended for a local audience, but in a broader one the meanings were clear: "Hawaii, a shining pearl in the Pacific, had long been a major converging point between cultures of the East and the West. It also serves as an important bridge for contacts between the Chinese and American peoples. I believe that through the joint efforts of China and the U.S., my visit will deepen our mutual understanding, broaden our common ground and promote friendship and cooperation between our two countries, and that China-U.S. relations will enter a new stage of development." In Chinese, the word for Honolulu is 'sandal wood mountain,' an apt description for a place where Chinese merchants as early as the 18th century had come to trade for a key ingredient in making incense. This was in of course before the monarchy had fallen, before the land became a British protectorate and then an American one. Many Chinese who found their way to the islands came as shipmates on vessels running the lines to Hong Kong and southern China. Many came as laborers. For many years Honolulu was also the home of Sun Yat-sen, the so-called father of the revolution, who had come at the urging of his older brother to study. It was here the imaginative Sun honed his English and began to devise radical prescriptions for saving the ailing China. Sun would later complete medical training in British administered Hong Kong, but in the contradictions of colonial policy could never be licensed to practise his profession. On both sides of the Taiwan straits, the KMT and CCP claim Sun as the founder of the Chinese revolution. Both accept him as their own. Jiang Zemin hails Hawaii for its unique position as the entrepot for the East into the West. But today the Chinese communities on the islands are diverse, with groups supporting one side or another. Taiwan remains as a major point of concern for not only the PRC and US governments. Yesterday as Jiang swam at Hilton Hawaiian Village, local Chinese supporters of Taiwan brandished signs demanding Beijing recognize the independence of the island. They began their protest at 10:10 a.m. to symbolize the date of the October 10, 1911 revolution which toppled the Qing dynasty and installed, as a popular compromise between factions, Sun Yat-sen as the President of China. See also ( Honolulu Star-Bulletin Local News ) ( On First Stop of U.S. Trip, Jiang Visits Pearl Harbor ) Meanwhile. . . ( The MS TKG Chinese Politics Site ) MS TKG has some remarks on Jiang's visit, noting his security entourage had asked the Honolulu police arrest the protestors cemented outside their dinner window. Russia: next month's summit to reveal breakthrough in border demarcation ( Breakthrough on Border Seen in Yeltsin Trip ) Russia's President Boris Yeltsen will travel to Beijing next month for a summit. Today China announced a major breakthrough in demarcating the eastern border with Russia and further details would be revealed during the summit. Reuters notes, "Most of the long frontier, scene of armed clashes at the height of the rivalry between the two communist giants in the late 1960s, has been agreed and mapped in negotiations that started in 1992. But questions remain over two tiny strips of land in the eastern part of the border area, which some Russian regional leaders believe were surrendered to China at the expense of Russia's national security."

TAIWAN ELECTION COVERAGE

Polls: intensive KMT campaigning closes gap The ruling Kuomintang (KMT) seems to be taking control of next month's elections for county chiefs and mayors after intensive campaigning in several contested counties. Polls sponsored by the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) that formerly showed many of its own candidates leading by a great margin now suggest that the party's candidates have lost tremendous ground. Incumbent Kaohsiung County Commissioner Yu Cheng-hsien, for instance, was said by news reports to have grown overconfident at a 40 percent lead in the polls. The county has remained a power base of his family for decades. But in less than one month, his lead was said to have dropped sharply to only 13 percent. KMT polls report similar results. As new campaign headquarters opened around the island yesterday, the first day on which candidates could officially register, the KMT continued aggressive support of its candidates. Taipei County, long home to a DPP chief, witnessed a massive road race officiated by the KMT candidate, Hsieh Shen-shan, and one of the KMT's most popular members, former Justice Minister Ma Ying-jeou. Kuomintang polls suggested that Hsieh and his DPP opponent, Su Chen-chang, who once enjoyed a huge lead, were running neck-and-neck. Ruling party fears that a party renegade, Lin Jih-jia, who was expelled for choosing to run independently, would take away votes from its candidate appear to have misfounded, the polls suggest. President Lee Teng-hui, Vice President Lien Chan and Taiwan Governor James Soong all turned out to support Hsieh when he opened his campaign office last week. The popular KMT mayor of Kaohsiung, Nantou native Wu Den-yih, was on hand during a flag-waving procession, with some supporters on horseback, to conduct KMT candidate Shi Hwei-yow to register. See also http://www.chinatimes.com/papers/ctimes/focus/86102707.htm http://www.chinatimes.com/papers/ctimes/focus/86102708.htm http://www.chinatimes.com/papers/ctimes/focus/86102709.htm http://www.chinatimes.com/papers/ctimes/focus/86102710.htm (Chinese BIG 5 encoding) (Note: Access to China Times articles are limited to subscribers. As the paper's system is currently configured, to access an article listed here you must first go to the front-page at http://www.chinatimes.com and from there locate the article) Taichung: Taichung mayoral candidate puts forward platform With the Taichung mayoral election only one month away, candidates spent a busy holiday weekend soliciting support and making policy speeches. Taiwan Provincial Assembly woman and Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) mayoral candidate Chang Wen-ying held a press conference to discuss her agenda at her campaign headquarters Sunday afternoon. She was joined by lawmakers Chen Ting-nan, Liu Wen-ching and Tsai Ming-hsien and provincial assembly deputy Wang Shih-shun. Chang's agenda for the city covers 10 areas, including the development of Taichung, transportation, environmental protection, ecological conservation, community safety and measures to help boost the local economy and business performance. She said her proposals would serve as guidelines for city development if she is elected the mayor in the Nov. 29 election. She also discussed her new policy for the protection and welfare of women and children. Meanwhile, Kuomintang Secretary-General Wu Poh-hsiung's wife Wu Tai Mei-yu and a number of officials visited Taichung KMT mayoral candidate Hung Chao-nan's campaign headquarters yesterday. She offered words of encouragement to Hung and his campaign staff. Ever since Hung's nomination for Taichung mayor was announced some months ago, local observers have tipped the DPP's Chang as the favorite, with her popularity reportedly outstripping that of her KMT opponent. However, Hung said that he was optimistic about his support by large numbers of constituents and is pleased with the strong endorsements he has received from many important KMT officials, such as the newly appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs Jason Hu, Taiwan Governor James Soong and Taichung Mayor Lin Poh-jung. Wu Tze-yuan: convicted KMT member shows reversal of fortunes Wu Tze-yuan, a member of the Kuomintang who last year was sentenced to life in prison after being convicted on corruption charges, was literally carried into the Pingtung County Election Commission office on supporters' shoulders yesterday morning. The move greatly frustrated the KMT's central headquarters, which had already nominated Pingtung County-elected lawmaker Tseng Yung-chuan to run for the post. Wu had been suspended from office after his indictment, issued after prosecutors accused him of skimming funds from a provincial government-funded flood control project. Wu denied the charges and has filed an appeal with the Taiwan High Court. Wu had been released from court custody earlier this year because he required medical treatment for diabetes. But he appeared healthy and happy as he signed to receive a form hopefuls for public office. He said he would not fill out the form and turn it in, making him an official candidate, for another couple of days. On a visit to Taichung, KMT Secretary-General Wu Poh-hsiung could hardly hide his frustration with the dramatic development. He said the deal made between Tseng and the ex-county chief was hard to understand and held an urgent meeting with officials at the KMT's provincial committee. Analysts said the KMT would probably launch an intensive effort aimed at talking Wu out of running. See also http://www.chinatimes.com/papers/ctimes/taiwan/86102706.htm and http://www.chinatimes.com/papers/ctimes/taiwan/86102707.htm (Chinese BIG 5 encoding) (Note: Access to China Times articles are limited to subscribers. As the paper's system is currently configured, to access an article listed here you must first go to the front-page at http://www.chinatimes.com and from there locate the article)

CROSS STRAIT RELATIONS

Cross strait relations: President fends off calls for direct links In an attempt to fend off pressure from local businessmen, President Lee Teng-hui yesterday told a group being honored as businessmen of the year at the Presidential Office that the time is not right to begin direct communication, transportation, and trade links with Beijing. He pointed out the government's "patience" policy--which calls for a slowdown in investments in the mainland--falls in line with "national security and stable economic development." Local businessmen, including shipping magnate Chang Jung-fa, are asking the government to completely lift the ban, which has been in place since 1949, when Taiwan and the mainland split amid a civil war. Mainland Chinese President Jiang Zemin's current U.S. visit has also added to the pressure. Taipei has only allowed small investments in the PRC, in a move designed to avoid over-dependency on the mainland Chinese market. With or without approval, some 35,000 Taiwan's firms have poured US$30 billion worth of investments into mainland China to cash in on cheaper raw materials and labor costs. See also http://www.chinatimes.com/papers/commerce/focus/86102807.htm (Chinese BIG 5 encoding) (Note: Access to China Times articles are limited to subscribers. As the paper's system is currently configured, to access an article listed here you must first go to the front-page at http://www.chinatimes.com and from there locate the article) Cross strait relations: trade figures reveal increasing linkages Indirect trade between Taiwan and mainland China amounted to US$15.21 billion in the first eight months of 1997, up 8.5 percent on the same period a year earlier, according to data released yesterday by the Board of Foreign Trade (BOFT). Taiwan does not allow direct trade with the mainland. For Jan.-Aug., indirect exports to mainland China totalled US$12.79 billion, up 6.3 percent over the same period last year, while indirect imports rose 22.2 percent to US$2.42 billion. Taiwan exports to mainland China via Hong Kong were valued at US$6.29 billion in Jan.-Aug., down 1.6 percent, while imports were up 10.5 percent to US$1.12 billion. Leading Taiwan exports to Mainland China were electrical equipment and spare parts, accounting for 14.9 percent, machinery tools and parts, making up 12.6 percent, and plastics, comprising 11.3 percent. See also http://www.chinatimes.com/papers/commerce/focus/86102805.htm (Chinese BIG 5 encoding) (Note: Access to China Times articles are limited to subscribers. As the paper's system is currently configured, to access an article listed here you must first go to the front-page at http://www.chinatimes.com and from there locate the article)

TAIWAN DESK

Diplomacy: Chad's President comes to town Chad's President Idriss Deby arrived in Taiwan Sunday for a five-day state visit after the impoverished central African state established formal ties with Taiwan. Deby, accompanied by a large delegation, will sign bilateral agreements on health, education, roads, electricity, water and other subjects during his Oct. 26-30 visit, sources close to Deby said in N'djamena on Friday. He was scheduled to meet President Lee Teng-hui on Tuesday. Taipei established diplomatic ties with Chad on Aug. 12, scoring a modest victory in a four-decade diplomatic tug-of-war with Communist China. The Republic of China on Taiwan and the People's Republic of China have competed aggressively, especially in Africa, for diplomatic recognition, often accusing each other of using large sums of cash and aid to woo potential partners. Taiwan accused the mainland's U.N. envoy Qin Huasun on Saturday of trying to sabotage its friendly ties with the Central African Republic. Protest: with Taipower set to add 4th nuke plant, protests heat up Thousands of people chanting "Get Nuclear Power Out of Taiwan" marched through downtown Taipei on Sunday to protest against plans for another nuclear power plant. About 5,000 protesters from all over the island, wearing yellow headbands, asked the government immediately to stop plans by state-run Taiwan Power Co. (Taipower) for the plant in northern Taiwan. A small group jostled with police outside Japan's de facto embassy, but no one was seriously hurt. Japan's Hitachi and Toshiba Corp., along with General Electric of the United States, won a US$1.6 billion contract last year to build two reactors for the plant. A small group of activists lay on barrels marked with radiation signs to simulate a nuclear holocaust as the protesters marched to the American Institute in Taiwan, Washington's de facto embassy in Taipei. Taipower, the sole power supplier, already has three nuclear power plants in operation. The activists insisted that Taiwan was not short of electricity and called for more efficient consumption. They quoted National Taiwan University Professor Yang Ying-chieh as saying only 60 percent of output was consumed efficiently, 20 percent lower than the target required by law. The legislature voted in October 1996 in favor of the new power plant amid a storm of protest. The entire project will cost an estimated US$6.4 billion. Accident See also http://www.chinatimes.com/papers/ctimes/taiwan/86102714.htm (Chinese BIG 5 encoding) (Note: Access to China Times articles are limited to subscribers. As the paper's system is currently configured, to access an article listed here you must first go to the front-page at http://www.chinatimes.com and from there locate the article) Economy: government signals 'green' for 11th consecutive time Taiwan's economy showed healthy growth in September, as the government's colored-signal system flashed green, according to data released today by the country's top economic planning agency. September's green light was the 11th consecutive such signal, indicating the economy remains in a pattern of stable growth. The leading index, which predicts economic conditions for the next three months, rose 0.7 percent in September from August to 105.1. The composite index stood at 31 in September, up from 26 in August. The coincide index rose 1.4 percent from August. Sales by manufacturers rose 3.9 percent in September from August, and rose 13.8 percent from September 1996. A survey of manufacturers showed 73 percent thought the economy would maintain its current state for the next three months, the same as the month earlier. See also http://www.chinatimes.com/papers/commerce/focus/86102812.htm (Chinese BIG 5 encoding) (Note: Access to China Times articles are limited to subscribers. As the paper's system is currently configured, to access an article listed here you must first go to the front-page at http://www.chinatimes.com and from there locate the article) Tug-of-war: accident leaves arms hanging and mayor apologetic Two men had their left arms torn off Saturday as the rope suddenly snapped during a giant tug-of-war contest organized in Taipei. The two were the most severely injured among the 42 people who suffered injuries in the incident. Most of the wounded sustained only slight injuries. The rope used in the tug-of- war was suspected to be the source of the accident. It was apparently too thin to sustain the massive amount of force of over 1,500 people pulling on both ends. After conducting overnight microsurgery, doctors at the Tamsui branch of the Mackay Memorial Hospital yesterday reattached the dismembered left arms of the two men. Taipei Mayor Chen Shui-bian yesterday apologized once again to the participants over the accident as he visited the seriously injured patients at hospitals. The tug-of-war was promoted by the city government and organized by a literary society, called the "Chinese Poetry Foundation." Chen said the city government would assume the burden of all the medical expenses and compensation for people injured in the accident and he promised the sum would not be less than an insurance company would normally give in such cases. The Chinese Poetry Foundation did not buy accident insurance for participants in the contest. A group of city council deputies, mostly from the New Party, demanded that Chen resign to take responsibility for the accident. They said they would file a lawsuit against Chen and Luo today, accusing them of malfeasance. The accident was considered to be the toughest challenge to face Chen since he was elected Taipei mayor two years ago. See also http://www.chinatimes.com/papers/ctimes/social/86102703.htm (Chinese BIG 5 encoding) (Note: Access to China Times articles are limited to subscribers. As the paper's system is currently configured, to access an article listed here you must first go to the front-page at http://www.chinatimes.com and from there locate the article) Tug of War: mayor permits spokesman to step down, denies 'sacrificing pawn' Taipei Mayor Chen Shui-bian yesterday approved the resignation of his chief spokesman, Luo Wen-jia, after Luo assumed responsibility for the tragic accident that occurred Saturday at a massive tug-of-war. At least 42 people were injured in the accident, which happened when the rope used for the contest frayed and suddenly snapped in two. The arms of two men were instantly ripped out of their sockets as a result. Luo said in tears that he thanked Chen for approving his resignation and that he would give himself a week's time to handle all of the follow-up details. Luo, 33, the youngest administrative official in all levels of government around the country, was regarded as Chen's right-hand man and his departure was believed to be a great loss to Chen's team. Luo, a former student activist at National Taiwan University, had worked as Chen's assistant for six years. Chen denied media speculation that he had let Luo step down to protect his own position by "sacrificing the pawn to protect the king." Chen said he would take full responsibility for the tragic accident and was fully willing to cooperate with any official investigation into who is responsible. See also http://www.chinatimes.com/papers/ctimes/focus/86102808.htm (Chinese BIG 5 encoding) (Note: Access to China Times articles are limited to subscribers. As the paper's system is currently configured, to access an article listed here you must first go to the front-page at http://www.chinatimes.com and from there locate the article) Politics: are you crazy?: Soong denies relations with Pres. Lee have soured Taiwan Governor James Soong yesterday denied that his relations with President Lee Teng-hui have turned sour. The denial came in response to newspaper reports that the two had an embarrassing meeting last Friday. Lee was said to ignore Soong's welcome, and did not shake hands with him when the president arrived at the provincial government office to join a Taiwan Retrocession Day celebration. Speaker Liu Ping-wei of the Taiwan Provincial Assembly was also quoted as saying that Lee and Soong did not know what to say to each other. When asked to comment on his relations with Lee, Soong said these reports contradicted the facts, and he suggested that people who wrote these reports should go to see a psychiatrist. He said he did shake hands with Lee, a formality that was so natural that he did not even bother to mention it. He said perhaps the pillars blocked the scene and some saw it, and some didn't. "See also:" http://www.chinatimes.com/papers/ctimes/taiwan/86102806.htm (Chinese BIG 5 encoding) (Note: Access to China Times articles are limited to subscribers. As the paper's system is currently configured, to access an article listed here you must first go to the front-page at http://www.chinatimes.com and from there locate the article)

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