with Japan

The Mainland Affairs Council has banned on all current and some former
government officials from attending a military parade in Beijing on September
3 marking the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second Sino-Japanese War.

Council spokesman Liang Wen-chieh said the government has banned central and
local government officials from attending the parade or related activities
organized by Chinese authorities ..

.. over concerns Beijing could use their presance at the parade or "united
front efforts targeting Taiwan."

The ban applies to personnel at all levels of government and former deputy
heads or higher-level officials of agencies responsible for national defense,
foreign affairs, mainland affairs, or national security ..

It also applies to military officers ranked major general or above and heads
of intelligence agencies.

The council spokesman says those found to have violated the ban will be
subject to penalties such as fines or the suspension or revocation of
pensions for violating the Cross-Strait Act.

The Mainland Affairs Council also urged members of the public not to take
part in the September 3 parade in Beijing...

but under current regulations, ordinary members of the public are not
prohibited from attending.