‘One China’ is political propaganda
‘One China’ is political propagandaBy Hideki NagayamaBeijing’s “one China” principle is a legalized political propaganda attempt aimed to facilitate the annexation of Taiwan, by suggesting that the issue of Taiwan is a “domestic matter,” thereby preventing the US and Japan from interventing in the event of a cross-strait conflict. This begs the question: Is it true that Taiwan belongs to China as claimed by the “one China” principle? As a result, the interpretation that “Japan returned Taiwan and the Penghu islands to China in 1945” is the legal foundation for Beijing’s “one China” principle. Due to this, the “one China” principle does not have any legal basis and therefore the contention that “Taiwan is part of China” is entirely false. However, to obstruct Japan’s intervention in cross-strait issues, Beijing has consistently attempted to brainwash Japan with its “one China” principle.
Source:Taipei Times
December 27, 2023 03:39 UTC
Ministry expands Russian sanctions to stop technology being used for arms
Ministry expands Russian sanctions to stop technology being used for armsBy Ben Blanchard / Reuters, TAIPEIThe Ministry of Economic Affairs yesterday said that it has expanded a list of sanctioned goods for Russia and its ally Belarus in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine to prevent Taiwanese high-tech goods from being used for military purposes. Taiwan has condemned Russia’s invasion and has already joined a Western-led sanctions effort, although it is largely symbolic as there is only minimal direct trade between the nation and Russia. Photo: Ann Wang, ReutersThe list includes equipment for making semiconductors, as well as certain chemicals and medicines, adding to previous announcements which already targeted the chip industry. The new sanctions are consistent with those already announced by the EU, the US and other nations, the ministry said in a statement. Export license applications would “in principle” not be approved, the ministry said.
Source:Taipei Times
December 27, 2023 00:32 UTC
Reject unequal service trade deal
Reject unequal service trade dealBy Jang Show-ling 鄭秀玲Publisher Rex How (郝明義), who was at the time a national policy adviser to the administration of then-president Ma Ying-jeou (馬英久), on June 20, 2013, wrote an open letter to Ma on the eve of the signing of the cross-strait service trade agreement. This explains why the cross-strait service trade agreement required Taiwan to liberalize far more items than China. If this unequal cross-strait service trade agreement had been passed, it would have had a direct impact on the livelihoods of the 5,835,000 employees of Taiwan’s approximately 1,148,000 service companies, which have an average of just 5.08 employees, and 85 percent of which are micro-enterprises with fewer than five employees. Furthermore, they must not simply accept all the terms of the unequal cross-strait service trade agreement signed by Ma’s administration 10 years ago. A decade ago, Ma repeatedly told the public that Taiwan’s economy would be doomed to lag far behind that of South Korea if it did not quickly sign the cross-strait service trade agreement.
Source:Taipei Times
December 26, 2023 21:42 UTC
China is two-faced on Myanmar
China is two-faced on MyanmarBy Antonio GraceffoChinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) is attempting to position himself as a mediator, promoting diplomatic ties with China as a credible alternative to aligning with the US. Instead, Thailand, not China, has provided a safe refuge for the 1.35 million people who have fled Myanmar. They just care about China,” Sai said, when asked how China addressed the refugee situation. However, he also acknowledged that Myanmar has no other option than to maintain close relations with China. Antonio Graceffo, a China economic analyst who holds a China MBA from Shanghai Jiaotong University, studies national defense at the American Military University in West Virginia.
Source:Taipei Times
December 21, 2023 21:42 UTC
2024 ELECTIONS: Curb special budgets: TPP
2024 ELECTIONS: Curb special budgets: TPPStaff writer, with CNAThe Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) on Wednesday announced proposals to curb the government’s use of special budgets and expand the allocation of tax revenues to local governments. TPP legislator at-large candidates Huang Kuo-chang (黃國昌) and Chang Chi-kai (張啟楷) made the proposals during a news conference at the campaign headquarters of TPP Chairman and presidential candidate Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) in New Taipei City. Speaking first, Huang said that Taiwan’s current system gives the central government control of 82 percent of tax revenue, leaving local governments underfunded and unable to raise sufficient revenues on their own. Taiwan People’s Party Chairman and presidential candidate Ko Wen-je makes rice cakes at Nanmen Market in Taipei yesterday. Meanwhile, Chang said the TPP would also push to amend the Budget Act (預算法) to ensure the government does not use special budgets outside of the general budget as a “blank authorization” for unrestrained spending.
Source:Taipei Times
December 21, 2023 21:40 UTC
EDITORIAL: Election meddling a key battleground
EDITORIAL: Election meddling a key battlegroundThe Chinese government is using TikTok and other social media platforms to sow discontent among Taiwanese over policy issues, and to sway young voters toward pro-China candidates, an official said on Sunday. In the US, several states have banned government agencies, and their employees and contractors, from using TikTok on government-issued devices. However, in the US there is also no legal basis for banning civilians from using TikTok or any other platform on their personal devices. With the presidential and legislative elections just around the corner, the government must ensure it is on top of efforts to combat Chinese disinformation and influence campaigns. Pro-China forces in Taiwan that collaborate on Chinese efforts will add to the challenge, but authorities must remain vigilant, and work to counter them.
Source:Taipei Times
December 21, 2023 03:44 UTC
2024 ELECTIONS: Ko promises to get rid of illegal parking lot
On Tuesday, Hsinchu City Government officials inspected the plot at the city’s Lungen Section No. They said they would investigate to determine whether the property obtained proper permission to be paved and used as parking lot. A Hsinchu City Government official takes pictures at a tour bus parking lot on farmland co-owned by Taiwan People’s Party Chairman and presidential candidate Ko Wen-je on Tuesday. Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) members and others also visited the site to see if work had started to remove the parking lot. DPP spokesman Chang Chih-hao (張志豪) said that Ko contravened regulations by making money leasing the parking lot, and possibly profiting if the land is later rezoned.
Source:Taipei Times
December 20, 2023 18:12 UTC
Government needs overhaul, Ko Wen-je says
Government needs overhaul, Ko Wen-je saysBy Lee I-chia / Staff reporter, with CNAThe government must overcome six major problems, including a rigid and disabled civil service system, Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) Chairman and presidential candidate Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) said yesterday as he again called for the adoption of a parliamentary system. Taiwan People’s Party Chairman and presidential candidate Ko Wen-je presents his vision of a more parliamentary-style government at his campaign headquarters in New Taipei City yesterday. Moreover, jobs in civil service have become reward posts for the KMT and the DPP to hand out, he said, adding that the system is too rigid. Civil service exams should be improved with more focus on aptitude and oral tests, while civil servants’ salaries should be increased to boost morale, he said. The former Taipei mayor also proposed setting up a permanent judicial reform commission and a national judicial science committee.
Source:Taipei Times
December 20, 2023 03:35 UTC
Mumbai Indians pick Pandya as captain over Rohit
Mumbai Indians pick Pandya as captain over RohitAFP, NEW DELHIThe Mumbai Indians on Friday appointed star all-rounder Hardik Pandya to lead in next year’s Indian Premier League (IPL) season, replacing all-format India captain Rohit Sharma, who led the franchise to five title wins. The Mumbai Indians said the change in leadership was a part of their planning and thanked Rohit, the joint-most-successful captain in the tournament’s history alongside the Chennai Super Kings’ M.S. India’s Hardik Pandya reacts during their ICC Cricket World Cup match against Afghanistan at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on Oct. 11. “It is in keeping with this philosophy that Hardik Pandya will assume captaincy of Mumbai Indians for the IPL 2024 season.”Jayawardene expressed gratitude to Rohit, 36, for his “exceptional leadership” since taking the reins in 2013. Rohit led Mumbai 163 times in the IPL and the Champions League T20, winning 91 games, drawing four and losing 68.
Source:Taipei Times
December 16, 2023 16:41 UTC
People want change, but not the KMT, Ko Wen-je says
People want change, but not the KMT, Ko Wen-je saysBy Lee I-chia / Staff reporterWhile 65 percent of Taiwanese want the ruling party to change, 70 percent do not want the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) to take over, Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) Chairman and presidential candidate Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) said yesterday. Recent polls have consistently shown Ko with the lowest support rate, meaning he would be most affected if the phenomenon plays out. Supporters of Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) Chairman and presidential candidate Ko Wen-je, not pictured, wave the TPP flag as well as the national flag at the party’s campaign rally in Tainan yesterday. They were greeted by supporters waving the national flag or the blue TPP flag. The TPP must win so it could give Taiwan back to the people, he added.
Source:Taipei Times
December 16, 2023 16:40 UTC
Why the Indian Ocean could be China’s Achilles’ heel in a Taiwan war
In a major war, Chinese oil tankers in the Indian Ocean “would find themselves very vulnerable,” said David Brewster, a security scholar at the Australian National University. China’s defense ministry did not respond to questions about its position in the Indian Ocean. The US Indian Ocean presence remains in stark contrast, reflecting its Cold War build-up. But China is yet to test its most potent assets in the Indian Ocean, one former Western intelligence analyst said. Some analysts expect that to change, particularly as PLA documents stress the piracy patrols’ importance in protecting Indian Ocean supply lines.
Source:Taipei Times
December 16, 2023 03:35 UTC
I can manage the US and China best, Ko Wen-je says
I can manage the US and China best, Ko Wen-je saysBy Tsai Yun-jung and Jason Pan / Staff reportersTaiwan People’s Party (TPP) Chairman and presidential candidate Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) yesterday said he would be the best choice to handle US-China tensions because both sides can trust him, as he compared his party to the Jesuit order. “I am the most capable among the three candidates of handling relations with the US and China. “On the other hand, although I have visited China and made friends there, Taiwanese people would still have trust in me, as this is the most important thing,” he added. “I am the safest choice here that both sides [the US and China] can accept.”Taiwan People’s Party Chairman and presidential candidate Ko Wen-je, left, holds a flag with legislative candidate Chen Wan-hui during a campaign event in Yilan County yesterday. That Ko had said in previous interviews he would not have to resign as TPP chairman if he loses the election shows that he could rule for life, Liu said.
Source:Taipei Times
December 16, 2023 03:33 UTC
Lai must respond to questions, Ko says
Lai must respond to questions, Ko saysStaff Writer, with CNATaiwan People’s Party (TPP) Chairman and presidential candidate Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) on Wednesday called on Vice President William Lai (賴清德) to clarify his stance on Taiwanese independence, which Ko said has left many confused. Taiwan People’s Party presidential candidate Ko Wen-je is pictured in Taipei in an undated photograph. “[Former DPP chairperson and pro-democracy movement activist] Huang Hsin-chieh (黃信介) said pushing for Taiwan independence is something you do, not something you speak of, but Lai has neither done nor spoken of it,” Ko said. Lai has declined media requests to reply to Ko’s statements, saying he would not respond to “personal attacks.”Ko said it was fine that Lai did not want to respond, but that he must respond to people’s questions. Lai might as well be honest and say Taiwan independence is “not viable for the time being,” Ko said.
Source:Taipei Times
December 14, 2023 21:38 UTC
Central bank leaves rates unchanged
Central bank leaves rates unchangedSTAYING STEADY: The central bank decided not to deviate from its current policy rates on the back of the US Federal Reserve’s decision to keep its rate in placeBy Crystal Hsu / Staff reporterThe central bank yesterday left its policy rate intact for the third straight quarter, saying that inflationary pressure has moderated and a policy pause would help support the economy amid lingering global uncertainty. Central bank governor Yang Chin-long, speaks during a news conference in Taipei yesterday. Taiwan’s central bank held interest rates steady at its final meeting of the year, leaving borrowing costs at their highest levels in eight years as the nation gears up for a critical January election. The central bank is looking at GDP growth of 3.12 percent next year, from a 1.4 percent this year. Central bank officials attributed the uptick mainly to a low base.
Source:Taipei Times
December 14, 2023 21:38 UTC
Ministry calls for peaceful resolution in Guatemala issue
Ministry calls for peaceful resolution in Guatemala issueStaff writer, CNATaiwan on Tuesday expressed hope that Guatemala’s ongoing controversy over its newly elected leader would be resolved peacefully, days after prosecutors there tried to prevent Guatemalan president-elect Bernardo Arevalo from taking office next month. Cheng Li-cheng, head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Department of Latin American and Caribbean Affairs, speaks at a news conference in Taipei yesterday. Arevalo, son of former Guatemala president Juan Jose Arevalo Bermejo, won his country’s presidential runoff in August by beating former Guatemalan first lady Sandra Torres Casanova by a 61 to 39 percent margin. “We believe it is perfectly feasible to have good relations with both the [People’s] Republic of China and Taiwan,” Arevalo told Reuters during a post-victory interview in August. Following Honduras’ decision to cut ties with Taiwan in March, Taiwan was left with only 13 diplomatic allies worldwide, with Guatemala and Belize the only ones in Central America.
Source:Taipei Times
December 14, 2023 03:34 UTC