China expected to pressure Lai
President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) has stayed within the framework for most of her eight years in office, Tso said, citing sources that described Tsai’s inauguration speech in 2016 as her version of the “one China” policy. Lai has repeatedly made clear his opposition to “one China,” Tso said, adding that how he is to put the words into policy is “a core question” for Taiwan-US-China ties. Beijing is intensifying its “gray zone” tactics against Taiwan to force it to negotiate and compel Lai to adopt a cross-strait policy that is “acceptable or tolerable” for China, Tso said. China and the US restored high-level communications when Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) met with US President Joe Biden in November last year, and Beijing is hoping to use the US to restrain Lai, Tso said. If Biden is re-elected, the US’ China policy is likely to be consistent; if Trump wins, the policy would be more unpredictable, Li said.
Source:Taipei Times
March 16, 2024 03:11 UTC
Thoughts on defending Taiwan
However, I have rarely been told that Taiwan could be defended to defeat the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). So here are some of my thoughts:The responsibility to defend Taiwan is that of the Taiwanese. The number of high-value targets — tactical and strategic — that China has along its coast opposite Taiwan are too many and simply indefensible. Taiwanese forces could literally have a duck shoot. At the risk of repetition, if Taiwan and its armed forces do not want the PLA to succeed — then they cannot.
Source:Taipei Times
March 15, 2024 17:31 UTC
The UK’s upcoming election and what to do next
The UK’s upcoming election and what to do nextBy Chris PattenDozens of developed and developing countries, representing half of the world’s population, are set to hold or have already held elections this year. For the world’s liberal democracies, the most consequential of these races is undoubtedly November’s US presidential election. Another critical election, at least for Europe, would be the UK’s upcoming general election, which is expected to take place sometime in the second half of the year. While the UK’s Conservative Party government maintains that it should not be blamed for global developments beyond its control, it should be held accountable for facilitating the UK’s disastrous exit from the EU. Over the past few years, the UK has showcased its lack of intelligent and effective governance, leading the international community to approach its upcoming election with indifference.
Source:Taipei Times
March 15, 2024 17:22 UTC
Buddhist festival
TSMC receives NT$47.5bn from China and JapanSKY-HIGH DEMAND: Many countries are looking forward to attract TSMC investment, as the firm plans to open new fabs in the US, Japan, China and Germany Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC, 台積電), the world’s largest contract chipmaker, received NT$47.55 billion (US$1.51 billion) in subsidies from China and Japan last year for investing in those countries, company data showed. The subsidies were sharply higher than in 2022, when they totaled about NT$7.5 billion, reflecting that many countries covet TSMC’s technology and are eager to attract the firm. The subsidies last year were handed out to support the expansion or building of new facilities in Nanjing, China, and Kumamoto, Japan. They were also used to finance land and equipment purchases, and to fund day-to-day operations. TSMC opened a plant in Kumamoto
Source:Taipei Times
March 15, 2024 00:54 UTC
‘Katespiracy’ explodes after UK princess’ photo blooper
‘Katespiracy’ explodes after UK princess’ photo blooperBy Anuj Chopra / AFP, WASHINGTONThe picture was meant to douse speculation about the whereabouts and health of the UK’s Catherine, Princess of Wales, but instead her manipulated image unleashed a torrent of Internet-breaking rumors and conspiracy theories. Social media exploded with memes exploring what the palace was hiding. “Every family hides a secret,” read the text inscribed in one photo swirling on social media, designed as a promo for a fictitious Netflix show titled: “Royal Conspiracy. The disappearance of Kate Middleton.”Kensington Palace declined to release an unedited copy of the photograph, prompting social media detectives to go down new rabbit holes. The climate of online distrust has spurred new calls for transparency, even among British royal family members with a long tradition of secrecy.
Source:Taipei Times
March 14, 2024 17:54 UTC
Satellite rocket explodes in Japan just after its launch
Satellite rocket explodes in Japan just after its launchAFP, TOKYOA rocket made by a Japanese company exploded seconds after launch yesterday in a spectacular failure for the start-up’s bid to put a satellite into orbit. Tokyo-based Space One’s 18m Kairos rocket blasted off in Wakayama Prefecture in western Japan, carrying a small government test satellite. Space One’s solid-fuel Kairos rocket explodes shortly after its launch at the Kii Spaceport in Wakayama Prefecture, Japan, yesterday. The launch had already reportedly been postponed five times due to parts shortages and other problems, most recently on Saturday. Katsumasa Tashima, the mayor of Kushimoto, the district in Wakayama where Space One’s launch site Spaceport Kii is, voiced his surprise and disappointment.
Source:Taipei Times
March 13, 2024 21:54 UTC
Impact of China-Bhutan dispute
Impact of China-Bhutan disputeBy Antonio GraceffoChinese villages are being built in the disputed zone between Bhutan and China. Despite its small size, the dispute holds significant importance due to its strategic location between India and China. In 2017, the Doklam plateau dispute erupted between India and China in the tri-junction area claimed by Bhutan, India and China. The dispute adds to broader tensions in the Himalayas, where China also has a border dispute with Nepal. A stronger Chinese presence on Bhutan’s borders could potentially embolden Beijing in its border dispute with Nepal.
Source:Taipei Times
March 13, 2024 21:53 UTC
Improving Taiwan-India relations
Improving Taiwan-India relationsBy Huang Wei-ping 黃惟冰Last month, Taiwan and India signed a memorandum of understanding signaling a willingness to make India a source of migrant workers. The Ministry of Labor said that Indian migrant workers would make up for the shortage of workers in the manufacturing, construction, agricultural and homecare sectors. Indian migrant workers would also be a great source for Taiwan to understand India more. Based on a solid mutual understanding, Taiwan-India relations can be strengthened in a reciprocal way. First, Indian migrant workers would increase the South Asian nation’s foreign exchange, and New Delhi would have to pay more attention to Taiwan’s economic development and political stability.
Source:Taipei Times
March 13, 2024 21:52 UTC
EDITORIAL: Expanding security partnerships
EDITORIAL: Expanding security partnershipsUS President Joe Biden on Thursday last week vowed to support peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait — the first time he did so in a State of the Union Address. “We’re standing up against China’s unfair economic practices, and standing up for peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait,” he said. Biden added that he has revitalized the nation’s partnerships and alliances in the Asia-Pacific region and made sure the most advanced US technologies cannot be used in Chinese weapons. Taiwan should also advance cooperation with international like-minded democracies, especially with neighboring the Philippines, India, Japan and South Korea. Having a shared threat perception could be one of the most important drivers for closer strategic relations, experts have said.
Source:Taipei Times
March 13, 2024 03:45 UTC
Taiwan has absolute air superiority: official
Taiwan has absolute air superiority: officialStaff writer, with CNATaiwan has “absolute air superiority” over China in its own airspace, Deputy Minister of National Defense Po Horng-huei (柏鴻輝) told a meeting of the legislature’s Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee on Monday, amid concern over whether Taipei could defend itself against a military incursion by Beijing. Po made the remarks in response to a question from Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Chiu Chih-wei (邱志偉) on whether Taiwan would have partial or complete air superiority if Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) warplanes were to enter Taiwan’s airspace. Photo: CNAWhile the Taiwanese military has often asserted its ability to defend the country, it has rarely claimed to have “air superiority” as Po did. Pentagon analysts concluded that the Chinese air force would find it far easier to establish early air superiority than Russia did in its invasion of Ukraine. The documents were part of a series of documents allegedly leaked by US air national guardsman Jack Teixeira.
Source:Taipei Times
March 13, 2024 03:37 UTC
Beijing’s cross-strait policy ‘coercive’
The National Security Bureau is working closely with the Ministry of National Defense and national security agencies to monitor Chinese military developments, taking into account multiple factors that could influence cross-strait ties, he added. Chinese military intimidation against Taiwan has become normalized — a combat readiness patrol is conducted every seven to 10 days, with about 10 fighter jets, other aircraft and three to four warships operating in the Taiwan Strait, Tsai said. Taipei has had “discussions” with international allies on whether a Chinese invasion is imminent, but tensions across the Taiwan Strait have not escalated sharply, he said. There is “currently no intelligence indicating an imminent war in the Taiwan Strait,” Tsai said, adding that the government would continue to monitor the situation and respond accordingly to avoid escalating tensions and to maintain stability in the strait. Beijing would continue its efforts to limit Taiwan’s international participation by promoting its “one China” principle around the globe in a bid to influence the new administration’s cross-strait policy, he said.
Source:Taipei Times
March 12, 2024 14:16 UTC
Taipei closely watches US elections
Taipei closely watches US electionsBy Stanley Kao 高碩泰Super Tuesday, the biggest day of the US presidential primaries campaigns, is over and the results are plain for all to see. Regardless of who wins in the general election, the ripple effects would be felt in Washington’s relationships with Taipei and Beijing. Taiwan maintains a neutral stance on US presidential elections and does not show favoritism toward any particular US political party. However, Taipei pays close attention to Democrats’ and Republicans’ international relations and national security policies and dives deeply into the meaning behind their respective stances. Regardless of the results of the US’ Nov. 5 elections, the sustainability, stability and predictability of reinforcement and tenacity of bilateral relations are guaranteed.
Source:Taipei Times
March 12, 2024 03:43 UTC
Workers march against violence and exploitation
Workers march against violence and exploitationBy Jason Pan / Staff reporterMigrant workers yesterday marched against gender-based exploitation and violence against female caretakers, and called for an end to paying high fees to broker agencies, in the lobby of Taipei Railway Station. Activists and spokespeople for migrant workers from Southeast Asian countries said they were marking International Women’s Day, which was on Friday last week, and protesting discrimination, sexual harassment and unfair labor practices in Taiwan. Migrant workers march in a One Billion Rising global campaign event to end violence against women and children while calling for better conditions for workers in Taipei yesterday. Photo: Ann Wang, ReutersThey held up banners and placards calling for rights for migrant workers, an end to the exploitation of female caretakers and justice for victims of abuse. Balderama also requested that her home country take responsibility to provide more financial support for migrant workers who return after working abroad.
Source:Taipei Times
March 11, 2024 03:34 UTC
AIT celebrates Taiwan-US ties with concert
AIT celebrates Taiwan-US ties with concertENCORE: The concert to celebrate the anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act embodies the spirit of friendship that defines Taiwan-US ties, the AIT saidBy Liu Tzu-hsuan / Staff reporterThe American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) yesterday celebrated ties between the US and Taiwan through musical performances, with Director Sandra Oudkirk calling the partnership “rock solid.”The AIT held the “AIT@45 Music Exchange Encore!” concert at the Eslite Performance Hall in Taipei to celebrate the 45th anniversary of the promulgation of the Taiwan Relations Act in 1979, when the US’ de facto embassy in Taiwan was founded. American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Director Sandra Oudkirk, fifth right, poses with performers at the “AIT@45 Music Exchange Encore!” concert in Taipei yesterday. Celebrating “45 years of the rock-solid partnership” between the US and Taiwan through music symbolized the profound effect cultural exchanges can have on people-to-people ties, she said. As part of that effort, the AIT has worked with the State Department to organize cultural exchange programs, including the Youth Leadership Exchange Program, OneBeat, the International Visitor Leadership Program and Center Stage, she said. The AIT named the concert “encore” to show its commitment to promoting cultural exchanges and “the deepening of international friendships,” she said.
Source:Taipei Times
March 10, 2024 21:43 UTC
Groups urge China to put an end to state-run schools in Tibet
Groups urge China to put an end to state-run schools in TibetStaff writer, with CNACivic groups commemorating the 1959 Tibetan uprising in Taipei yesterday called for an end to China’s use of state-run residential schools to “exterminate” Tibet’s culture and language. Participants at a rally commemorating the 65th anniversary of the 1959 Tibetan uprising yesterday kowtow to pay tribute to those who died in the uprising. Tibetans in Taiwan and their supporters march with Tibetan flags and a portrait of the Dalai Lama during a rally commemorating the 65th anniversary of the 1959 Tibetan uprising. Photo: George Tsorng, Taipei TimesSince the Tibetan uprising against Chinese communist rule on March 10, 1959, Tibetans have had no freedom and no human rights, Lhakpa said. “The Chinese communists claim Tibet has become more open these past decades, and that Tibetans are living a great life.
Source:Taipei Times
March 10, 2024 21:41 UTC