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SCMP Reporter

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.

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.

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

'We've been locked in meetings all day about this issue, and I can tell you that although Deng Pufang would like to visit Taiwan, I'm 99 per cent certain it will not happen,' said Shen Zhifei, director-general of the group's department of international affairs.

When asked why, Mr Shen said: 'You know as well as I do why a visit would be too sensitive.'

Mr Deng holds no official state postings other than chairing the nation's quasi-government social organisation for the disabled. But as the son of Deng Xiaoping, his visit would unavoidably carry with it political overtones.

Despite receiving an invitation from the Kuomintang to visit Taiwan 10 years ago, when the party was still in power and before Deng Xiaoping's death, Deng Pufang never took up the offer.

Mr Deng has been wheelchair-bound since an apparent suicide attempt during the Cultural Revolution, when he jumped out of a window to avoid harassment by Red Guards.



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