New Premier meets rising pro-CCP politician in Hong Kong

One of the most annoying aspects of the communication between the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) in Taiwan and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is that it remains below the radar in the international media. Even though the international media discusses formal meetings between the two parties, such as Lien Chan's visit to China a few years ago, or the recent Cross-Strait Forum, most of the time the relationship between the CCP and the KMT is presented as if they were a pair of deaf-mutes desperately gesticulating to each other across the vast and unreadable Taiwan Strait. For example, the Economist wrote of President Ma's response to the Dalai Lama's visit:

Mr Ma was well aware that he was taking a risk when he decided on August 27th to approve the Dalai Lama’s request to visit the island.

Of course, Mr. Ma was well aware there was no risk, for everyone in the Chinese cultural world knows that the KMT and the CCP hold regular chats. In fact, it was widely rumored in Taiwan that an envoy had been dispatched to Beijing to discuss the matter and the response was negotiated. Naturally the KMT served Beijing's interests in the Dalai Lama's visit.

The most recent example of this cooperation was that of new Premier, who just prior to taking over the premiership, whisked off to Hong Kong to report to visit with a rising Hong Kong politician who has close connections to the CCP...

The Executive Yuan yesterday said Premier Wu Den-yih (吳敦義) met Hong Kong politician Leung Chun-ying (梁振英) during his visit to Hong Kong on Sept. 5.

Leung is the convenor of the non-official members of the Executive Council of Hong Kong and has been mentioned in Hong Kong media as a likely successor to Donald Tsang (曾蔭權) as the territory’s chief executive in 2012.

Citing the timing of the trip — two days before the announcement that Wu would become premier — the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) accused Wu of meeting Chinese officials to discuss his premiership.

Executive Yuan Spokesman Su Jun-pin (蘇俊賓) yesterday rebutted the claim as “ridiculous.”

“The Republic of China is a sovereign independent country. Saying that Premier Wu had to report to [Chinese authorities] concerning his appointment was a ridiculous allegation,” Su said.

“Premier Wu has been consistent regarding the purpose of his visit to Hong Kong, which was to exchange ideas on disaster prevention measures,” Su said yesterday. “His accusers have to show proof.”

You have to admit, in light of the Chen Shui-bian verdict, that it is refreshing to hear KMT representatives demand proof. Apple Daily commented (translated from the CNA):

What's more bizarre is that one of the officials Wu met was Leung Chun-ying, who is tapped to be the next chief executive of Hong Kong.

We wonder if Taiwan was seeking Beijing's consent through Leung for Wu's appointment.

The Standard of Hong Kong observed:

The Democratic Progressive Party quickly accused Wu of "kowtowing" to Leung, who is tipped to be a candidate in the race for the chief executive. Within five days Wu took over as Taiwan's premier.

"I didn't know Wu would become premier at that time," Leung insisted.

"Such condemnation sounds meaningless. The Taiwan authorities can communicate with the mainland directly and they don't need a middleman," added Leung, who is also a member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Standing Committee.

Make up your own minds.

Good advice, that last line. And good question raised here -- since the CCP and the KMT can communicate directly, why send Wu to Hong Kong to "kow-tow"?

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