Contrasting ideologies of the DPP and TPPBy Lin Han 林志翰Ukraine-born Taiwanese entertainer Larisa Bakurova obtained her national ID card and became a “new Taiwanese resident” in 2019. TWO IDEOLOGIESForfeiting her Ukrainian citizenship to become a new Taiwanese resident, Bakurova has worked hard to develop Taiwan’s rhythmic gymnastics. Xu, in her haughtiness and unruliness, is a new Taiwanese resident who does not identify with Taiwan and has only been acting as a Chinese mouthpiece. The DPP and TPP’s respective consideration of Bakurova and Xu as legislator-at-large candidates reveal the two parties’ contrasting ideologies and attitudes towards China. It is the perfect opportunity to see which party is the one truly defending Taiwan’s interests, and in this case, it is the DPP, without question.

EDITORIAL: Estonia bravery and balanceMinister of Foreign Affairs Joseph Wu (吳釗燮) on Wednesday spoke at a seminar hosted by the International Center for Defense and Security in Tallinn, Estonia. Wang’s use of the phrase “solemn commitment” is interesting. Beijing wants Tallinn to see it as a solemn commitment, as opposed to an agreement between two governments that it is, to underline the implied threat. According to the Estonian embassy in Beijing, Estonia supports its “one China” policy, and in return, Beijing promises to respect the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Estonia. Beijing can talk of a “solemn commitment” from others, yet neglect its duty as a permanent member of the UN Security Council.

Defining the US-China ‘cold war’By Antonio GraceffoOver the past 10 years, as relations between the US and the People’s Republic of China (PRC) have steadily deteriorated, analysts, policymakers and academics have debated whether they are embroiled in a cold war. However, this debate is unnecessary, as the US-China enmity matches the textbook definition of a cold war, which is being played out in Taiwan, Ukraine and the Middle East. When people ask whether the US and China are in a cold war, what they truly mean to ask is whether they are locked in a cold war similar to the Cold War between the US and the Soviet Union. A cold war is a condition of political and ideological tension, rivalry and non-violent conflict between major powers or blocs. The US-China cold war is here, but it is not identical to the competition with the Soviet Union.

TSP demands an investigation into Xu ChunyingBy Chien Li-chung and Jason Pan / Staff reportersTaiwan Statebuilding Party (TSP) legislative candidate Yang Pei-hua (楊佩樺) yesterday called for an investigation into allegations that Xu Chunying (徐春鶯), a China-born potential legislative candidate, was conducting Chinese “united front” work in Taiwan. Taiwan Statebuilding Party legislative candidate Yang Pei-hua yesterday rings the bell at the Taipei District Prosecutors’ Office to file a complaint calling for a judicial investigation into Xu Chunying. Xu was promoted to lead the human resources section, occupying a high position that comes with a chauffeur-driven service, Yang said. Xu left China in 1993 after marrying a Taiwanese man, then gave up her Chinese residency to obtain Republic of China citizenship in 2000, Yang said. “We demand that Xu show accounting reports of the two organizations to show where their finances come from,” Yang said.

While calling for a ceasefire in Ukraine and Gaza, China’s military has frequently intercepted US warships and aircraft traveling freely near Taiwan. Against this backdrop of mounting tensions, Taiwan matters in the Biden-Xi meeting. Even though this scenario is not remotely possible, China continues to put pressure on the US through military drills around Taiwan. Nonetheless, China’s sovereignty claim over Taiwan and the US’ involvement in Taiwan are separate yet interrelated matters. The key lies in Beijing’s rhetorical reference to the use of peaceful and coercive means to resolve the Taiwan question.

EDITORIAL: Gou’s to be or not to be momentThe nationwide buzz over a potential joint opposition presidential bid between the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) and the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) stands in contrast to its moribund state, with signs of the negotiations heading for a breakdown. In Gou’s case, it is vacillating between seeing his independent campaign through to the end or calling it quits. According to polling, if either Ko or Hou win over Gou’s supporters, the effect would amount to a support rate increase of about 7 to 10 percentage points. Furthermore, Gou and the KMT see eye to eye on a host of issues, including economic development and cross-strait policy. Gou’s Hamlet moment could become a turning point in the campaign for either the KMT or the TPP.

Xu Chunying’s threat to TaiwanBy Chu0 Meng-hsiang 朱孟庠The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) uses all sorts of innovative techniques to spy on officials of foreign countries. Now, Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) Chairman and presidential candidate Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) wants to have Xu Chunying (徐春鶯) on the party’s list of legislator-at-large nominees. Xu’s ideology and national identity would require her to collect information for the CCP while expanding China’s organizations in Taiwan. According to the laws on cross-strait relations, Taiwan and China do not recognize each other as sovereign countries. China has been trying to annex Taiwan, which makes China a hostile country.

Xu Chunying was close to Chinese agencies: criticsBy Tung Kuan-yi and Jason Pan / Staff reportersXu Chunying (徐春鶯), a Chinese spouse who the Taiwan People’s Party has said it might put on its legislator-at-large list, is closely associated with the Chinese United Front Work Department, a political commentator and a Taiwan Statebuilding Party legislative candidate said yesterday. Xu told the event that “we are proud of being Chinese, this is our national identity and it will never change,” Lee said. Taiwan New Residents’ Development Association chairwoman Xu Chunying speaks during a Pop Radio show in Taipei yesterday. Xu attended many such events in China, with media reporting that she represented a “united front” agency, Lee said. “She has declared her national identity to be Chinese and is proud of it, so how can she become a legislator-at-large in Taiwan?” he asked.

Taiwan, UK sign trade partnership dealSTRONGER TIES: Taiwan would promote sustainability, gender equality and consumer protection standards as it seeks closer ties with the UK, an Executive Yuan office saidBy Chung Li-hua and Jonathan Chin / Staff reporter, with staff writerTaiwan yesterday inked an Enhanced Trade Partnership (ETP) deal with the UK, marking the nation’s first trade framework agreement with a European country, the Executive Yuan’s Office of Trade Negotiations said. The ETP showed the growth of Taiwan-UK economic ties and provided a guideline for Taipei and London to conduct trade talks, they said. Photo courtesy of the Office of Trade NegotiationsTaiwan plans to continue its discussions with the UK over collaborations in digital trade, investment and net zero emissions, they said. The government would promote sustainability, gender equality, corporate social responsibility and consumer protection standards as it seeks closer economic ties with the UK, it said. The office previously said that the ETP might be expanded — with a free trade agreement (FTA) being its ultimate goal.

Lack of accountability powers KoBy Chang Yueh-han 張約翰Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) Chairman and presidential candidate Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) on Tuesday last week made a controversial remark, saying that he does not waste food at meals. This is classic Ko, making a gaffe and not owning up to the mistake. The TPP hit back, saying that candidates surnamed White in the US would also use “vote White” as a slogan. Aside from the “vote white, vote right” slogan that the party pulled from its Web site for fear of offending the US, the TPP has never done any soul-searching, as it never suffers from Ko’s gaffes. Even though the KMT has an open-minded faction that supports gender equality, it has never openly condemned Ko’s sexism and misogyny.

Intelligence officers accused of making up informantBy Chang Wen-chuan / Staff reporterTwo members of the military have been charged with falsifying documents, as well as corruption and money laundering, for allegedly making up fake intelligence from an imagined informer to claim cash rewards and operational fees. The entrance to the Shilin District Court in Taipei is pictured in an undated photograph. Photo: Yang Kuo-wen, Taipei TimesThe bureau reported the case and asked that it be investigated, prosecutors said. In June, Su Hsin-ming’s and Su Yung-ling’s work place was raided and a court approved their detention following questioning, they said. Prosecutors said they had also asked the court to approve the confiscation of the pair’s illicit gains.

Developing home-grown talentBy Lin Ji-shing 林基興Talent is the foundation of a nation. The National Development Council on Wednesday last week launched the International Talent Taiwan Office. President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) said at the opening it is her hope that the office would encourage more international talent to come to Taiwan. The Professor Huang Kun-huei Education Foundation recently published an opinion poll about college professors’ opinions about undergraduates. There could be a few rotten apples among teachers and students alike, such as teachers who sexually harass students or students who physically assault teachers.

EDITORIAL: Where does Xu’s allegiance lie? The potential nomination has stirred debates, especially over the issue of mainland Chinese with dual nationalities being elected into office. The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) has addressed Xu’s case, saying that the act governing cross-strait relations only requires mainland Chinese to relinquish their household registration — not citizenship — in China to apply for ROC citizenship. Besides, mainland Chinese renouncing their household registration does not equate to giving up their Chinese nationality, and Beijing could still require them to obey its laws, including its Anti-Secession Law. Nonetheless, according to China’s Nationality Law, Chinese can apply to renounce their nationality and get a certification from the Ministry of Public Security.

Do we really need humanoid robots? “We’re trying to make robots that can operate in human spaces.”Agility Robotics’ robot Digit performs maneuvers in August at the company’s office in Pittsburgh. NAVIGATING HUMAN SPACESAI engineer Jenna Reher works on humanoid robot Figure 01 on Oct. 3 at Figure AI’s test facility in Sunnyvale, California. “That led to development of a new robot that was not really a humanoid, but had several characteristics of a humanoid,” he said via an emailed message. Walking is “not the hardest problem to solve in humanoid robotics,” said Geordie Rose, co-founder and CEO of British Columbia, Canada-based startup Sanctuary AI.

Lin wins WTT champs, Chou nabs Hylo OpenStaff writer, with CNATable tennis player Lin Yun-ju (林昀儒) on Sunday achieved a new milestone in his pro career by lifting his first-ever World Table Tennis (WTT) Champions trophy in Germany. Table tennis player Lin Yun-ju in action during the final against Chinese player Ma Long at World Table Tennis (WTT) Champions Frankfurt 2023 on Sunday. Taiwanese shuttler Chou Tien-chen reacts after winning his fourth Hylo Open title in Saarbrucken, Germany, on Sunday. Separately, Taiwanese shuttler Chou Tien-chen (周天成) on Sunday clinched his fourth Hylo Open title after defeating Hong Kong’s Lee Cheuk-yiu (李卓耀) in the men’s singles final in Saarbrucken, Germany. Sunday’s victory was Chou’s fourth Hylo Open title, having won the Badminton World Federation Super 300 tournament, then known as the Bitburger Open, three years in a row from 2012 to 2014.