Fwd: How to earn $450 with an Egg

Taiwanese group offers cash to protesters to pelt Chinese envoy $450 for eggs on his face

WHILE it is not unusual to see protesters pelt eggs during demonstrations, a Taiwanese pro-independence group has up the ante to register its displeasure.

UNHAPPY: An opposition supporter throws cream pies on a portrait of Mr Chen Yunlin, at the gates of the Grand Hotel where he will be staying during his visit. PICTURE: AP

The group said on Saturday that it would pay protesters to throw eggs at a senior Chinese envoy, amid escalating tensions over his visit.

Chairman Chen Yunlin of China's semi-official Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait is arriving today, becoming the most senior Chinese representative to visit Taiwan since the two sides split in 1949 during a civil war.

'We will offer NT$1,000 ($45) to protesters who hit Chen's body with eggs, and NT$10,000 ($450) to those who hit Chen's face with eggs,' said Ms Michelle Wang, vice-chairman of the Taiwan Society North.

She said her organisation is opposed to the more than 1,000 missiles China has deployed against Taiwan.

Several groups are planning protests against Mr Chen's visit out of fear that it could push Taiwan too close to China.

Beijing continues to claim the island is part of its territory, and threatens to attack if Taiwan moves to formalise its independence.

The opposition Democratic Progressive Party will also hold a three-day demonstration in Taipei to protest Mr Chen's trip as a threat to Taiwanese sovereignty.

To allay public concerns about Mr Chen's five-day visit, Taiwanese officials said the talks would be limited to economic issues, including transportation links across the 160km-wide Taiwan Strait.

The Chinese official's visit is part of Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou's campaign to improve long-strained ties between Taiwan and China.

Not supportive

Since Mr Ma's inauguration on 20 May, he has sent a delegation to Beijing, facilitated the beginning of regular cross-strait weekend charter flights, and allowed an increasing number of mainland tourists to visit.

However, many in Taiwan do not support his efforts to cozy up to Beijing.

On Saturday, dozens of protesters tried to approach Mr Ma, shouting 'Ma Ying-jeou, step down!' as he visited a temple in the central Taiwanese county of Changhua.

A man carrying a Taiwanese flag also protested inside Taipei's heavily guarded Grand Hotel, where the Chinese envoy will be staying.

'We used to fight the commies, but now (the government) is protecting the commies,' the man grumbled before being chased away by police officers.

But Mr Ma has urged those opposed to Mr Chen's visit to keep their protests peaceful, less than two weeks after demonstrators attacked another representative from Beijing.

Mr Ma said he understands that many Taiwanese are concerned about the island's security and sovereignty and he would relay those feelings to China.

'It is not such a bad thing to let Chen Yunlin understand Taiwanese views ... but (any protests) must be legal and peaceful,' Mr Ma was quoted as saying by the China Times, a leading Taiwanese daily.