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Slim chance for son to 'fulfil Deng's wish of island visit'

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Deng Pufang, the founder of the China Disabled Person's Federation, has been invited to visit Taiwan, but insiders say there is only a slim chance the trip will happen.

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Kuomintang legislator Shyu Jong-shyong invited Mr Deng - son of late paramount leader Deng Xiaoping - to visit early next year to help foster dialogue between the federation and the Taiwan Alliance for the Disabled.

'Deng Pufang told me that he hopes to fulfil his father's lifelong dream of visiting Taiwan,' Mr Shyu was quoted by Taiwan media as saying yesterday. Mr Shyu, who has been a long-time activist for the handicapped, visited the federation's office in Beijing on Monday.

While Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) prohibits visits to the island by senior Chinese Government officials, ordinary Chinese can apply for travel visas, and exchanges between civic groups are permitted so long as they uphold 'the principles of equality and national dignity'.

'There should be no problems for him to come to Taiwan if he applies [for a visa]. As long as he is eligible for cross-strait specialist exchanges, we would not treat him any differently,' said Chen Min-tong, MAC vice-chairman.

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Despite this, an official at the federation's Beijing headquarters said it was unlikely Mr Deng would make the trip.

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