Taiwan entertainer's comments anger mainlanders

A Taiwan singer's request that Chinese mainlanders not visit Taiwan has become a hot topic on the Internet, arousing heated discussions online.

Bobby Chen, the veteran music producer and singer, has stated that he does not want Taiwan to sign the Cross-Straits Service Trade Agreement with the mainland, according to ifeng.com.

"I don't think we should earn more money, and I think the richest era that Taiwan residents had was abnormal," the website quoted Chen as saying. "I don't want Chinese mainlanders to come here.

"Some people said refusing to sign the agreement will make Taiwan marginalized, but I think we should see ourselves clearly via the agreement. Why should we lower our quality of life? I disagree with signing the agreement," the singer told the website.

Chen said he has many friends from the Chinese mainland and he likes them, but he often tells them he will talk about unity after they learn to close bathroom doors, according to the website.

Chen's remarks quickly spread on Sina Weibo, Chinese largest micro-blogging service.

A netizen called Chabiaoxiong commented that he can understand that some people have different opinion of the agreement, but the key problem here lies in someone's misunderstanding of Chinese mainlanders.

Chen's remarks came several days after Hong Kong actor Chapman To also raised Chinese mainland netizens' ire after he said he supports the Taiwan residents who protested the agreement. Some mainlanders vowed to boycott his movies.

A micro-blogger called Sang Gege, who is also a writer in the mainland, forwarded Chen's remarks and added that she will not go to Hong Kong or Taiwan.

"None of my friends opens the door when we go to the bathroom," the writer added in her micro blog.