2010/03/14 20:56:10
The Taiwan government granted visas to between 70 and 80 students of major universities in China, but they failed to obtain the permission of the Chinese government to attend the five-day event, according to event organizer, National Taiwan University (NTU) , in charge of public relations.
The World Model United Nations (WorldMUN) conference, created by Harvard University in 1992, is taking place in Taiwan for the first time after NTU won the bid to organize the event after four failed attempts.
In his opening remarks, Taiwan's President Ma Ying-jeou said he expected the students to learn how to solve differences peacefully.
"You should learn the skills and attitudes in dealing with other leaders representing other countries and learn to use all peaceful means to solve international disputes, " he told the students from over 200 colleges.
He also noted that since he came to office in May 2008, Taiwan has no longer been a flash point as his administration has improved ties with Taiwan's long-time political rival China.
Ma also said that Taiwan, which was a founding member of the U.N. under the name the Republic of China, but lost its representation in the world body in 1971, has been following the principles of the U.N. charters.
For example, he said, Taiwan ratified two U.N. human rights conventions last year and will adopt them as domestic law.
He also said that Taiwan has been excluded from taking part in U.N. activities in the past, without specifically attributing the reason to China's obstruction.
"Some of my friends joked that just because of that, you decided to bring the Model U.N. to Taiwan, " he said, drawing laughs from the students.
But he also spoke of Taiwan's breakthrough in participating in U.N. activities.
"After working for so many years, we were able to attend the World Health Assembly organized by the World Health Organization last year. We hope we can do it again this year, " Ma said.
About 30 minutes before the event opened, scores of activists supporting the independence of Tibet marched loudly outside the hall, and some of the participating students took their pictures.
The WorldMUN conference will feature 22 committees discussing a wide range of issues such as terrorism, medical tourism, human rights, biodiversity, and corruption.
Participating students will act as delegates from countries other than their own, already determined by drawing lots. Taiwanese students will speak for Namibia, Paraguay, Switzerland, Somalia, the Czech Republic and Maldives at the conference. (By Alex Jiang) ENDITEM
