President pays a surprise visit to Fiji - TW

[dArKeR]

President Chen Shui-bian (???) surprised many people yesterday when he flew to Nadi, the biggest city on the west shore of Fiji, for a stopover on his return home from Kiribati.

Chen's visit to Nadi was labeled a `transit' stop by officials of both countries, which do not have diplomatic relations.

Chen is the first Taiwanese president to set foot in Fiji since the country became independent from the UK in 1970.

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2005/05/05/2003253185

[dArKeR]

1. Keep pandas away from politics

Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairman Lien Chan (??) completed his "Betray Taiwan Tour" on Tuesday. As expected, the Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU) and its supporters were at the CKS International Airport waiting to pelt him with eggs, but because police maintained strict order, the protests came to nothing. But make no mistake about it: Many Taiwanese are describing Lien's trip to China as a "Betray Taiwan Tour."

News of Lien's visit has filled almost every TV news show and most newspapers. Public opinion polls associated with these reports show Lien enjoying a huge surge in his prestige. It would seem that Lien has been able, in one trip, to resolve the half-century long stand-off across the Taiwan Strait and that peace and unification with China are now just around the corner.

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/edit/archives/2005/05/05/2003253247