Chinese newspaper appeals Taiwan distribution ban

The Hong Kong edition of the Chinese state-run publication was introduced in Taiwan last July. In March 2009, Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Tsai Huang-liang lodged a complaint with Taiwan's Government Information Office (GIO) saying that the paper was as a tool against the Taiwanese. A review commission revoked the newspaper's publishing rights on May 19 following an examination of the content.

The commission cited references to Ma Ying-jeou as Taiwan's "leader" rather than its president, and weather maps labeling Taiwan as part of China, among reasons for the newspaper's license being revoked, according to the Taipei Times, which quoted Cheng Cheng-chun, director of the GIO's Department of Publications.  

Taiwan split from the mainland during civil war in 1949 and considers itself a sovereign nation independent from China, which has threatened military action to assert its own claim to rule the island.

The Committee of Appeal, part of Taiwan's executive branch of government, will issue a new ruling on the China Daily's appeal in three months, reported the Taipei Times.