Civil "Golf" War.

Taiwan retired military officers launch golf tour in China: Liberty Times
Taiwan News, Staff Writer
2010-05-25 05:12 PM

http://www.etaiwannews.com/etn/news_content.php?id=1266886&lang=eng_news&cate_img=logo_taiwan&cate_rss=TAIWAN_eng

The opposition DPP Legislator Chen Ting-fei noted yesterday that Taiwan’s national security will be exposed to immediate threats as more and more retired high-ranking military officers launch tours on China soil, which used to be the forbidden area for confidential concerns, according to Liberty Times report.

Reports said that a horde of retired military officers, led by former Admiral Huang Hsing-chiang, arrived in Nanjing, an ancient capital city in China history, to launch a tour combining friendly golf match with former officers of People's Liberation Army and a trip to Chung Shang Mausoleum, a memorial hall for Sun Yat-sen, the founding father of the Republic of China. Chen noted that the meetings between cross-strait military officers become normal because of vague attitudes of the ruling KMT. The government must do something to prevent secrets of national defense from leaking.

Responding to the grievances toward the trip, the Ministry of National Defense (MND) noted yesterday that the government hopes these retirees can restrain themselves for security concerns despite their civilian status.

Makes you wonder what they talk about during golf.............

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_asiapacific/view/1057012/1/.html

Taiwan's ex-security chief confirms secret China channels

by Staff Writers
Taipei (AFP) May 16, 2010

Taiwan's former security chief has confirmed for the first time that Taipei and Beijing used secret communications channels from 2008 as they worked to thaw glacial ties, it was reported Sunday.
Su Chi, who was chief of the National Security Council until earlier this year, said in an interview with the Taipei-based United Daily News that the sensitive channels helped build trust between the longtime foes.

He said the National Security Council did not talk directly to authorities on the mainland, but declined to provide details of the secret channels.

"In my office, there were no hotlines. I did not contact them directly. It would have been too risky."

Taiwan's ties with its giant neighbour have improved markedly since President Ma Ying-jeou came to power in 2008, pledging to boost trade links and allowing in more Chinese tourists.

Taiwan has governed itself since 1949 at the end of a civil war. However, Beijing still considers Taiwan part of its territory and maintains its right to use force should the island move to declare formal independence.