Blue-white legislative cooperationBy Tzou Jiing-wen 鄒景雯Negotiations over electoral cooperation between the “blue” Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) and the “white” Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) are ongoing, but is “blue-white cooperation” a real issue or a bogus one? Ko said that “blue-white cooperation” was not about who gets what powerful position, and that no one had asked him to discuss it. The much-vaunted “blue-white cooperation” has come to the forefront, as indicated by a series of three meetings. Only at the inter-party consultation between Chu and Ko, where the presidential election was not the main focus, did the desire to win the maximum number of legislative seats emerge as a clear consensus between the two party chairmen. If the two parties can really maximize their shares of legislative seats, it would mean that successful cooperation between Ko and Chu could result in the formation of the largest political force after the election.

Hong Kong sentences student over social media posts she shared while in JapanReuters, HONG KONGA Hong Kong court on Friday sentenced a student to two months imprisonment for sedition over pro-independence social media posts she published while studying in Japan. Scholars and overseas activists say this case represents an alarming escalation of the chilling effect experienced by those who continue to engage with Hong Kong affairs. Hong Kong Chief Justice, Andrew Cheung, first left, and judges attend a ceremony held to mark the opening of the legal year in Hong Kong on Jan. 16. According to the prosecutor, most of the posts were published when she was studying in Japan, with messages saying: “I am a Hong Konger; I advocate for Hong Kong independence,” and “Hong Kong independence, the only way out.”Among the 13 alleged social media posts, only two posts were shared from Hong Kong. In response, Hong Kong on Friday condemned the move, saying US legislators were grandstanding and trying to intimidate the city.

Dialogue with Beijing ‘in all our interest’: AlbaneseREUTERS, SHANGHAIAustralian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, starting the first visit to China by a leader of his country in seven years, said yesterday it was “in all our interests” to have a bilateral relationship with dialogue and cooperation. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese arrives at Capital International Airport in Beijing yesterday. “We continue to highly value the World Trade Organisation, whose role as an independent and respected umpire benefits us all,” Albanese said. Albanese is to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) today, where the prime minister has said he would raise concerns over rising tensions in the South China Sea. On arriving in Shanghai late on Saturday, Albanese said it was in Australia’s interests to have a positive and constructive dialogue with its major trading partner.

“This would also make Taiwan a bellwether in brain science in Asia.”The brain bank belongs to the nation, not NTU, Chang said. “Today is only the beginning, and the brain bank cannot sustain itself with the budget allocated to the medical school alone. There are about 150 brain banks worldwide, Hsieh said, adding that having brain banks is an indicator of prosperity. “Unlike brain banks in other countries that were established by the government, the Taiwan Brain Bank was initiated by patients and their relatives who wanted to contribute by donating their brains for research,” Hsieh said. The brain bank also spent three years training its personnel and installing relevant facilities before it was officially established yesterday.

Domestic diesel prices to drop, gasoline unchangedBy Chen Cheng-hui / Staff reporterCPC Corp, Taiwan (CPC, 台灣中油) and Formosa Petrochemical Corp (台塑石化) are to lower domestic diesel prices this week, but leave gasoline prices unchanged from last week. In separate statements yesterday, state-run CPC and privately owned Formosa said that they would lower diesel prices by NT$0.1 per liter, effective today, following price cuts of NT$0.2 per liter for gasoline and diesel the previous week. Based on its floating oil price formula, CPC said that the cost of crude oil last week had declined by 1.83 percent from a week earlier. Effective today, gasoline prices at CPC and Formosa stations are to fall to NT$29.7, NT$31.2 and NT$33.2 per liter for 92, 95 and 98-octane unleaded gasoline respectively, the companies said. Premium diesel is to cost NT$27.2 per liter at CPC stations and NT$27.0 at Formosa pumps, they said.

Lighting up the Taipei night celebrating DiwaliStaff Writer, with CNAHundreds of people yesterday attended Diwali celebrations in Taipei organized by the de facto Indian embassy, enjoying fireworks and traditional music, food and cultural performances. The “auspicious” annual festival “cuts across the lines of religion, region, nation and language,” with about “1.4 billion people celebrating in India and millions of Indians celebrating across the world,” he added. People watch a fireworks display along the banks of Taipei’s Yanping Riverside Park during a celebration of Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, hosted by the India Taipei Association yesterday. Photo: Chu Pei-hsiung, Taipei TimesYadav said that traditionally Indians would illuminate their homes, temples and workspaces with oil lamps, candles and lanterns. Women in Indian clothing pose for a photograph during Diwali, the Hindu Festival of Lights, in Taipei yesterday.

India and Taiwan’s disconnectionBy Sana Hashmi 胡莎娜In 2020, the Taiwan-India Parliamentary Friendship Association was revived with much fanfare. The development came after a deterioration in India-China relations and the resultant amenability between the civil societies and people of India and Taiwan. Parliamentary exchanges between India and Taiwan are not uncharted territory, so what is hindering the two countries from resuming these visits? A significant portion of civil society, the media, and even the general populace in India holds favorable views toward Taiwan. Encouraging parliamentary exchanges are crucial precisely because formal government dialogues are constrained.

In this region alone, countries are realigning and reassessing priorities, including Japan, the two Koreas, China, Russia, the Philippines, Australia and India. Just as China is the main driving force behind Japan’s moves, India also finds itself performing a balancing act amid its relations with China and Taiwan. India enjoys good relations and economic ties with Taiwan at the governmental and parliamentary levels, although this could be improved. China would be much strengthened if it successfully invaded Taiwan, enabling it to focus its attention and resources on its Himalayan border with India. India, then, could be a powerful, interested partner in helping Taiwan’s incoming administration deter Chinese aggression in the Taiwan Strait.

China’s Belt and Road hits a snagBy Antonio GraceffoOVER THE PAST two years, Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) has unveiled the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, all of which are intended to enhance China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Beijing promised to help landlocked Kazakhstan boost its exports by connecting it with world markets through BRI infrastructure, but the boost has not materialized. The BRI was originally called the New Silk Road, harkening back to a historical trade route linking Europe and China. Western nations are unveiling their own alternatives to China’s BRI. Last year, the US revealed its Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment during the G7 summit.

EDITORIAL: Indo-Pacific collaboration neededChina is losing influence in the South Pacific following a reduction of its spending in the region, The Associated Press reported on Tuesday. Now would be an opportune time for the US to hold large-scale drills in the South China Sea and Oceania with Taiwan and other allies in the region. The South China Sea, despite being so poorly named, does not belong to China — and if that is not made clear to China now, it will only become harder to enforce freedom of navigation. The Chinese Coast Guard and People’s Liberation Army regularly come within unsafe distances of foreign military vessels and aircraft operating in international areas in the region. Just as NATO protects its members from Russian aggression, so could such an alliance in the Indo-Pacific protect its members from Chinese aggression.

Shami credits his rhythm as India soarReuters, BENGALURU, IndiaIndia seamer Mohammed Shami said there was no rocket science behind his spectacular five-wicket haul in Thursday’s 302-run Cricket World Cup demolition of Sri Lanka, crediting his success to finding rhythm and keeping his mind uncluttered. India bowlers Mohammed Siraj, left, and Mohammad Shami react during their ICC Cricket World Cup match against Sri Lanka at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, India, on Thursday. “No rocket science,” Shami said when informed that none of his World Cup wickets were LBWs. “Just a matter of rhythm, good food, keeping your mind uncluttered and most importantly, the love of the people.”“The support we get in India has a huge role. “So I’ll keep trying to make everyone happy.”Batsman Shubman Gill, who hit a run-a-ball 92 against Sri Lanka, said the bowlers had made their work easier in the tournament.

US, Canadian navy ships transit Taiwan StraitStaff writer, with CNAA US destroyer and a Canadian frigate conducted a “routine” transit of the Taiwan Strait on Wednesday — their second joint passage in two months — to demonstrate a commitment “to a free and open Indo-Pacific,” the 7th Fleet of the US Pacific Command said yesterday. Royal Canadian Navy Halifax-class frigate the HMCS Ottawa is pictured in an undated photograph. The Ministry of National Defense later confirmed the transit, saying in a statement that the military was on top of the situation as one US destroyer and one Canadian frigate sailed northward in the Taiwan Strait, and it did not see any irregularities. China yesterday said its troops were “on constant high alert” after the transit. The last voyage made by US and Canadian warships was on Sept. 9 by the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Ralph Johnson and the Royal Canadian Navy Halifax-class frigate HMCS Ottawa.

Ko Wen-je unveils energy platformStaff writer, with CNATaiwan People’s Party (TPP) presidential candidate Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) on Wednesday presented his energy policy, calling for a transition to sustainable energy and extending the lifetime of two nuclear power plants. By 2030, the nation’s energy composition would be 45 percent gas, 30 percent from renewable sources, 15 percent coal and 10 percent nuclear energy, Ko told a news conference. Taiwan People’s Party Chairman and presidential candidate Ko Wen-je presents his energy platform at his campaign headquarters in New Taipei City’s Sinjhuang District on Wednesday. Other than relying on a wide range of energy sources to lower Taiwan’s dependence on imports, the development of renewable sources and investment in green technologies should also be encouraged, he said. He proposed extending the operation of the Guosheng Nuclear Power Plant in New Taipei City’s Wanli District (萬里) and the Ma-anshan Nuclear Power Plant in Pingtung County, and re-examining the operability of the Fourth Nuclear Power Plant in New Taipei City’s Gongliao District (貢寮).

India, Taiwan and China triangleBy Karamala Areesh Kumar S. LalithaThe geopolitical landscape of the Asia-Pacific region has been shaped by the ongoing tensions in the Taiwan Strait. As China seeks to assert its dominance over Taiwan, India finds itself at a critical juncture, balancing its diplomatic relations with both nations. In the aftermath of the 1962 war with China, India sought to balance Beijing’s influence by cultivating ties with the Soviet Union. The Taiwan Strait holds immense significance as a potential flashpoint between the US and China in the Indo-Pacific region. India must factor in these security considerations when formulating its policy on the Taiwan Strait tensions.

Candidates from TPP and KMT fail to agree on dealStaff writer, with CNAThe presidential candidates from the two main opposition parties convened on Tuesday in a bid to break the deadlock and work out a deal for January’s election, but failed to agree on the details of a proposed joint presidential ticket. The Chinese Nationalist Party’s (KMT) presidential candidate, New Taipei City Mayor Hou You-yi (侯友宜), and KMT Chairman Eric Chu (朱立倫) met with Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) presidential candidate and Chairman Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) in Taipei in the evening. New Taipei City Mayor Hou You-yi, center, the Chinese Nationalist Party’s (KMT) presidential candidate, interacts with supporters during a campaign event in Taipei yesterday. The KMT has proposed an open primary, while the TPP has suggested national polls to determine how Hou and Ko would be paired. Taiwan People’s Party presidential candidate and Chairman Ko Wen-je, center, attends an event at Yonglian Temple in New Taipei City’s Lujhou District yesterday.