Right-wing protesters yesterday tried to disrupt a press conference in Tokyo by Ma Ying-jeou, chairman of Taiwan's main opposition Kuomintang, calling him a 'spy' who is 'shamelessly selling out Taiwan to China'.
The activists were blocked by police from approaching Mr Ma, but continued a street demonstration claiming he was 'acting as an agent of China and interfering in Japan's domestic issues'.
Mr Ma is on a six-day tour that will also take him to Yokohama, Osaka and Kyoto as part of a campaign to improve relations and promote mutual understanding.
He emphasised his party's desire to normalise relations with Beijing and promote business opportunities on the mainland for companies in other countries via Taiwanese firms. He also took the opportunity to criticise the performance and aims of Taiwan's President, Chen Shui-bian.
'Since the change of government in 2000, the economy has declined to a point at which it is in the worst situation since 1950,' Mr Ma said. 'After six years of the Democratic Progressive Party's rule, the average growth rate is 3.4 per cent compared to more than 6 per cent previously.'
He added: 'Our ties with the US - which are vital to both our economy and security - have deteriorated. Relations with the mainland are relatively unstable.'
