(REUTERS/Tyrone Siu)A top Shanghai official Tuesday defended his controversial visit to Taiwan as “open and transparent” as protesters burnt his photo and accused him of promoting the island’s unification with China. He is the highest-level mainlander to visit since cross-strait ties worsened under Taiwan’s new government. “Expel Sha Hailin!” about 100 angry protesters shouted outside a hotel in Taipei where the forum is taking place, tearing down and burning photos of Sha and Taipei mayor Ko Wen-je. Protesters had also rallied at an airport and other locations Sha visited Monday, shouting slogans against communism and for independence for Taiwan. Taiwan has been self-ruling since splitting with the mainland in 1949 following a civil war but has never declared independence.

Source: Indian Express August 23, 2016 07:41 UTC