Taipei Gov’t criticized for Shanghai delegation’s itinerary

TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Taipei City Government was criticized over the weekend for allegedly playing hide-and-seek with the central government during the visit of the Shanghai delegation to the Taiwan Lantern Festival.

Opponents said that the itinerary of the Shanghai delegations' visit was greatly changed from the original plan.

Taipei City Mayor Chiang Wan-an responded that the Mainland Affairs Council has approved the new "itineraries" and is following the principles under the same consensus. 

"The main principles are laying low, keeping it simple, and maintaining safety," Chiang said. "It's just an interaction between two cities."

When asked by reporters if the relationship between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait was easing, Shanghai's Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) Deputy Director Li Xiaodong (李驍東) responded, "both sides must work together. We look forward to it."

The Mainland Affairs Council has suggested Taipei City Government explain the details of the visit to the public to avoid misunderstandings.