“Of course I am willing to go to Taiwan, to walk around, take a look, interact with the people there, chat with them, understand the actual situation in Taiwan, and listen to everyone’s genuine feelings and views about the mainland.” This was the response of Wang Yi, Director of the Taiwan Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, when asked when he would visit Taiwan. He said that this is essential work for anyone engaged in cross-strait affairs.
But Wang also said that if the timing is not quite right, or if his visit to Taiwan were to stir up social division or increase social costs, that is not his intention and there is no need for it.
“Whether it's me going to Taiwan or Ms. Lai (Mainland Affairs Council Chairwoman Lai Shin-yuan) coming here, both are possible. It depends on the time, timing, and conditions.” He believes that the timing won’t be very far off. If given the opportunity to visit Taiwan, Wang said he would definitely first engage with all sectors of Taiwanese society, especially the general public. And if time permits, he also wants to climb Yushan. Wang enjoys hiking — during his tenure as ambassador to Japan (from September 2004 to September 2007), he climbed every mountain in Japan over 3,000 meters high. Mount Fuji is 3,700 meters tall, while Yushan stands at 3,997 meters. “I’ve climbed to around 5,600 meters before, so climbing Yushan should be no problem.”
Wang also detailed his mountaineering experience. Mountains between 3,000 and 4,000 meters are most suitable for amateur climbers. Above 4,000 meters, there is snow, which is less safe and requires certain equipment and proper training. Wang has been to Sichuan’s Gongga Snow Mountain, Yunnan’s Meili Snow Mountain, as well as some high mountains in Xinjiang and Tibet. He said that in those places, you have to ride horses and stay in Tibetan homes, sometimes even sleeping alongside cattle.