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Updated Tuesday, October 26, 2010 10:52 am TWN, CNA

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China low key amid Taiwan anger over film fest

BEIJING -- A Chinese official in charge of Taiwan affairs was non-committal yesterday when asked about a row over Taiwan's name at the 23rd Tokyo International Film Festival.

Sun Yafu, deputy director of the Taiwan Affairs Office under China's State Council, said he only learned about the matter that morning, and he did not have a complete picture of it.

The row involved China's delegation at the festival insisting on Saturday that the Taiwanese delegation attend the festival under the name “Taiwan, China” or “Chinese Taipei” instead of the name it has always used at the festival and wanted to use this time — “Taiwan.” As a result, neither the Chinese film stars, or Taiwanese film stars walked down the “green carpet” at the festival.

On Premier Wu Den-yih's criticism that China's act was “overbearing,” Sun said he had no comment.

“I have no comprehensive understanding of the dispute, so I can't comment on the matter substantively, not to mention comment on Wu's views,” Sun added.

But Sun expressed the hope that both sides of the Taiwan Strait should avoid “unnecessary internal friction,” and that a reasonable arrangement can be made through coordination.

He said that after long exchanges between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait, bilateral relations have undergone dramatic changes, especially after the inauguration of President Ma Ying-jeou in May 2008.

“The mainland of course would want Taiwan to take part in international organizations and activities as well as international meetings,” Sun said.

“Both sides could make reasonable arrangements through bilateral coordination so long as they are made under the premise of not creating two Chinas or one China, one Taiwan,” Sun added.

Sun made the remarks on the sidelines of a seminar to mark the end of Japanese colonial rule in Taiwan at the end of World War II.

Taiwan's Presidential Office issued a strongly-worded statement late Sunday over the Chinese delegation's insistence about the name.

The office said the incident has hurt Taiwanese people's feelings and will hobble peaceful development of cross-strait relations.

The office asked for immediate remedial measures from China.

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