Cross-strait political tussle at film festival

Even in cultural matters, there seems room for political tug-of-war. Beijing wanted a Taiwanese delegation to the Tokyo International Film Festival renamed; the island protested and the mainland's reply was, in effect, 'Let's avoid unnecessary friction'.

And, so goes the roller-coaster ride of mainland-Taiwan relations. 'In terms of foreign affairs, it is hoped [our two sides] can avoid unnecessary internal friction to ensure the overall interest of the Chinese race,' Taiwan Affairs Office deputy director Sun Yafu said yesterday in Beijing.

Sun, whose office deals with Taipei, said relations had improved dramatically since 2008. He said Beijing respected Taipei's wish to take part in international activities, and as long as it would not create confusion of 'two Chinas' or 'one China, one Taiwan', cross-strait negotiations could allow for reasonable arrangements.

Sun's comment came after Taiwanese Premier Wu Den-yih rebuked the mainland for making the 'unreasonable' and 'barbaric' demand that the island's film festival delegation change its title to either 'China's Taiwan' or 'Chinese Taipei'.

On Saturday, shortly before the festival's start, mainland film official Jiang Ping told the Japanese organiser the Taiwan delegation had to change its name or the mainland would pull out. The organiser said no, and the mainland delegation withdrew. The demand gave the pro-independence camp in Taiwan a chance to again attack President Ma Ying-jeou's engagement policy.

'This incident has enabled us to realise the reality that China will never ease its grip in suppressing us in terms of the sovereignty issue regardless how conciliatory we are,' Democratic Progressive Party chairwoman Dr Tsai Ing-wen said. Ma's office later said such a demand would only cause resentment among Taiwanese people and 'could easily harm hard-won goodwill and mutual trust'.