Two expelled from DPP for attending forum

Taiwan's opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) yesterday expelled two founding members for attending a forum on the mainland, though one renounced his membership pre-emptively.

Former DPP "legislator" Hsu Jung-shu and former chief of the "council of agriculture" Fan Cheng-tsung drew fire from some party members for attending the Fifth Cross-Straits Trade and Economic Forum held in Changsha of Hunan province July 10-12.

DPP review committee officials announced on Thursday that Hsu's and Fan's membership privileges would be suspended for three years. The two appeared on a talk show later that night, saying they have done nothing wrong. Annoyed committee members including Tsai Chi-chang and Chiu Yi-ying called another disciplinary meeting yesterday.