Taipei authorities have taken a softer line on Taiwanese individuals attending Beijing’s Victory Day military parade this week, despite repeated warnings in the weeks leading up to the event.
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Former Kuomintang (KMT) chairwoman Hung Hsiu-chu defied the warnings and appeared on the rostrum overlooking Tiananmen Square on Wednesday, watching the parade marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.
The next day, Liang Wen-chieh, deputy minister of Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council, said it was up to “each political party to bear responsibility for itself and to society”, and Hung’s decision was “not something to be punished by law”.
Liang added that, although Hung had previously served as deputy president of Taiwan’s legislature, the position fell outside the scope of legislation restricting retired Taiwanese officials from attending official celebrations hosted by Beijing.
However, he said, such actions “failed to actively uphold governmental dignity and defied public expectations, which we deeply regret”.
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What did China’s military parade tell us about its capabilities and global standing?
What did China’s military parade tell us about its capabilities and global standing?
Before the parade, Taipei had repeatedly invoked its act governing cross-strait relations, warning certain retired officials and generals against going to Beijing for the ceremony.