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Attack will not derail cross-Straits dialogue - envoy

By Xing Zhigang (China Daily)
Updated: 2008-10-23 06:59

The attack on a mainland scholar in Taiwan will not hinder cross-Straits dialogue, a senior Beijing official said Wednesday.

Zhang Mingqing (L), deputy chief of the mainland-based Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits, leaves for Beijing from Taiwan's southern Kaoshsiung airport October 22, 2008. [Agencies]

Zhang Mingqing, dean of Xiamen University's Journalism School, was assaulted on Tuesday during a tour of a Confucian temple in the south of the island.

The incident came just weeks before a planned visit to Taiwan by the mainland's top envoy Chen Yunlin, who heads the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS).

"The ARATS delegation's visit to Taiwan will go ahead," Chen said after welcoming Zhang, who is also deputy chief of ARATS, at Beijing airport Wednesday.

Related readings:  Scholar cancels Taiwan trip after mob assault  Mob jostling of mainland scholar in Taiwan condemned  ARATS condemns mob jostling of mainland scholar in Taiwan

Zhang, who cut short his visit following the assault, also played down the incident.

"The violent incident Wednesday was initiated by a small number of people and they cannot represent the 23 million people in Taiwan," he said.

"They will not succeed in hindering cross-Straits exchanges or sabotaging the stable development of bilateral relations."

Zhang said he decided to return home to Beijing so he could have a checkup.

"Why am I leaving early? I am still a bit sore, and a little dizzy," the 62-year-old said.

Chiang Pin-kung, chairman of Taiwan's Straits Exchange Foundation, accompanied Zhang to Taipei's Kaohsiung airport.

Zhang said he felt sad that so many police officers had been sent to guard him.

"I don't think I should have brought (the police) so much trouble," he said.

Taiwan "premier" Liu Chao-shiuan told reporters Wednesday that the attack "will not have a negative impact" on long-term relations with the mainland.

"The attack will be seen as a stand-alone incident," he said.

Yu Fang-lai, "vice-minister" of transport, however, said he was worried the event might have a detrimental impact on the island's tourism.

The incident "will absolutely have a negative impact on the image and tourism industry of Taiwan and will somewhat affect cross-Straits talks on establishing air and sea links", he said.

The transport department, which oversees the island's tourism sector, will make more efforts to protect the safety of mainland visitors, he said.

According to a historic deal reached between Beijing and Taipei in June, Taiwan will receive a maximum of 3,000 mainland tourists per day in the first year.

The program, which began in July, has brought huge economic benefits to Taiwan.

Agencies contributed to the story