Ko Wen-je unveils energy platform
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).
Source:Taipei Times
November 02, 2023 17:42 UTC
India, Taiwan and China triangle
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.
Source:Taipei Times
November 02, 2023 17:41 UTC
Candidates from TPP and KMT fail to agree on deal
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.
Source:Taipei Times
November 01, 2023 18:42 UTC
TPP could hurt national security
TPP could hurt national securityBy Lin Shiou-jeng 林修正Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) Chairman and presidential candidate Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) has come under fire amid reports that the party has selected Xu Chunying (徐春鶯), a Chinese immigrant and an advocate for foreign-born spouses, who was allegedly a Chinese Communist Party (CCP) cadre, for its list of legislator-at-large nominees. To justify his selection, Ko said that as more than 1 million Taiwanese residents have links to Chinese spouses, they have a right to be represented and should not be treated like enemies. However, Ko’s nomination would throw Chinese spouses in Taiwan in greater fear. As a former CCP cadre, Xu would have had close connections with the Chinese government and the CCP. Chinese spouses who came to Taiwan seeking love and starting a new family here are also looking for a way out, away from China’s clutches.
Source:Taipei Times
November 01, 2023 17:44 UTC
Questions over Li Keqiang’s death
Questions over Li Keqiang’s deathBy Hong Tsun-ming 康駿銘Former Chinese premier Li Keqiang (李克強) died on Friday last week at the age of 68, reportedly of a heart attack. Li Keqiang was actually in quite a weak position even when he was in office, so after he stepped down prematurely, his political power was obviously even more ephemeral. Although Li Keqiang’s talents were questionable, his economic ideas, known as “Likonomics,” are somewhat in demand during the economic collapse caused by Xi’s protectionism. There were frequent calls of “up with Li, down with Xi,” so no wonder Li Keqiang became a thorn in the dictator’s side. Hong Tsun-ming, originally from Hong Kong, is a specialist in the Taiwan Statebuilding Party’s international section.
Source:Taipei Times
November 01, 2023 02:50 UTC
JANUARY ELECTIONS: KMT and TPP campaign promises ‘empty,’ Lai says
JANUARY ELECTIONS: KMT and TPP campaign promises ‘empty,’ Lai saysBy Shelley Shan / Staff reporterVice President William Lai (賴清德) yesterday accused the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) and Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) of making empty campaign promises, adding that their partnership would have little bearing on his campaign for president. “Since I launched my campaign for president, I have been responsibly presenting my policies for the country’s future. People have also seen the attempts of the KMT and TPP. Does he want to cancel farmers’ health insurance?” Lai asked. The International Air Transport Association estimated that the global aviation industry would fully return to pre-COVID-19 levels by 2025.
Source:Taipei Times
October 31, 2023 20:07 UTC
JANUARY ELECTIONS: TPP aims to have 17,000 volunteers at polling stations
JANUARY ELECTIONS: TPP aims to have 17,000 volunteers at polling stationsStaff writer, with CNAThe Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) plans to enlist more than 17,000 volunteers to monitor the vote-counting process during the presidential and legislative elections on Jan. 13 next year, TPP Chairman and presidential candidate Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) said yesterday. There would likely be more than 17,000 polling stations across Taiwan for the elections, and the TPP hopes to have at least one volunteer at each to “safeguard Taiwan’s democracy,” Ko told a news conference in New Taipei City. Political parties generally have people posted at polling stations to ensure that basic procedures are followed and to monitor the vote-counting process. Taiwan People’s Party chairman and presidential candidate Ko Wen-je speaks at a news conference in Taipei yesterday. Whatever happened, the TPP “would make the most of each day to connect with the people and learn their concerns,” Ko said.
Source:Taipei Times
October 31, 2023 20:07 UTC
BRI at 10 faces many challenges
BRI at 10 faces many challengesBy Meng Chih-cheng 蒙志成The third Belt and Road International Cooperation Summit was held in Beijing on Oct. 17 and 18, as China celebrated the 10th anniversary of its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), with more than 140 countries, 30 international organizations and 24 heads of state in attendance. Nevertheless, the Beijing summit, which was held amid the conflict between Israel and Hamas, highlighted the significance of the BRI over the past decade. Xi visited Moscow in March and signed statements on strategic partnerships and economic cooperation with Russia. Third, Russia is gradually shifting its focus toward the Pacific Ocean, while China is facing a complex situation in the South China Sea. Xi’s recent actions to support the BRI include promoting cooperation, green development, scientific innovation, people-to-people exchanges and better societies, as well as strengthening the initiative’s international cooperation mechanism.
Source:Taipei Times
October 30, 2023 21:44 UTC
TPP plan to select China-born candidate a risk: DPP
The TPP has yet to confirm or deny the selection of Xu, which was first reported by Mirror Media on Thursday last week. Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Tsai Shih-ying, right, speaks at a news conference held by the DPP caucus at the Legislative Yuan in Taipei yesterday. She said that the DPP appointed former CCP member Ning Jiarong (寧家榮) to an internal party committee several years ago. DPP Legislator Tsai Shih-ying (蔡適應) yesterday said that Ko’s remarks revealed two things. “One is that the TPP has indeed decided to enlist Xu as one of its legislators-at-large,” Tsai said.
Source:Taipei Times
October 30, 2023 18:56 UTC
Hou-Ko alliance doomed from start
Even though Hou seemed magnanimous in accepting the proposal, he is only looking for a way out in the event the alliance fails. In the 2020 presidential election, the TPP did not have a presidential candidate and secured just five legislator-at-large seats. In comparison, the pan-blue camp seems heavily divided regarding the KMT’s presidential candidate, with many harboring grievances and voicing complaints over the nomination process. If the KMT loses the presidential election, Hou would be kissing his political career an early goodbye. Hou’s “magnanimous” attitude sets the scene: In the event that the “blue-white alliance” collapses, the fault would lie with the TPP.
Source:Taipei Times
October 30, 2023 17:13 UTC
Table tennis team stars for Taiwan at Asian Para Games
Table tennis team stars for Taiwan at Asian Para GamesStaff writer, with CNA, Hangzhou, ChinaTaiwan finished their Asian Para Games campaign on Saturday with a total of four gold, four silver and 12 bronze medals, with their table tennis team winning 10 medals. Taiwan’s Lin Tzu-yu, left, and Lin Chun-ting pose with their medals on the podium after winning the table tennis mixed class 17-20 doubles at the Para Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, on Friday. The 32-year-old, who has muscular atrophy in his thumb, was working as an engineer before resuming his table tennis career. Taiwan sent a record 94 athletes to this year’s Asian Para Games, competing in 14 different sports, including taekwondo, wheelchair fencing and go, with Taiwanese athletes making their debut appearances. At the 2018 Asian Para Games in Jakarta, Taiwan won two golds, nine silvers and 14 bronzes.
Source:Taipei Times
October 29, 2023 18:37 UTC
Brahma Chellaney On Taiwan: Two raging wars increase the risk of a third
Brahma Chellaney On Taiwan: Two raging wars increase the risk of a thirdTaiwan is on the front line of international defense against expansionist authoritarianism. South Korea, however, may find it difficult to directly assist US-led operations to help Taiwan repulse a Chinese attack. To make matters worse, Russia also appears to be fashioning a North Korea card against South Korea. Against this backdrop, Russia now seems willing to play the North Korea card against South Korea, including by dangling the threat of transferring sensitive technologies to Pyongyang. Beijing thus could possibly egg on North Korea to rein in South Korea.
Source:Taipei Times
October 29, 2023 16:45 UTC
Bavuma says S Africa lucky to beat Pakistan
Bavuma says S Africa lucky to beat PakistanAFP, CHENNAI, IndiaSouth Africa skipper Temba Bavuma on Friday said that his team were lucky after pulling off a one-wicket win over Pakistan in a sensational finish to their Cricket World Cup match in Chennai. South Africa last pair Tabraiz Shamsi and Keshav Maharaj greet captain Temba Bavuma after their Cricket World Cup match against Pakistan at the M.A. “I do think we could have shown a lot more of a clinical display in going about that run chase,” Bavuma said. New Zealand all-rounder Glenn Phillips reacts during their Cricket World Cup match against Australia at the Himachal Pradesh Stadium in Dharamsala, India, yesterday. Earlier, Travis Head marked his first World Cup game with 109 and David Warner made 81 for Australia, who gained their fourth win in six games.
Source:Taipei Times
October 28, 2023 18:59 UTC
Ko proposes inviting Terry Gou to KMT and TPP talks
Ko proposes inviting Terry Gou to KMT and TPP talksStaff writer, with CNATaiwan People’s Party (TPP) Chairman and presidential nominee Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) on Friday said that planned “party-to-party negotiations” with the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) over possible collaboration in January’s elections should involve would-be independent presidential candidate Terry Gou (郭台銘). Taiwan People’s Party Chairman and presidential candidate Ko Wen-je speaks at a news conference in Taipei on Friday. KMT’s presidential candidate, New Taipei City Mayor Hou You-yi (侯友宜), the KMT and the TPP were to meet for the first round of negotiations on Friday, but it was postponed for unstated reasons. Hou has urged Ko to work with the KMT on forming a coalition and discuss how to create a joint presidential ticket through negotiations. The parties have agreed to continue talks for a collaboration as both sides agreed that their supporters want to see a unified opposition to remove the DPP from office.
Source:Taipei Times
October 28, 2023 17:10 UTC
EDITORIAL: China relations need adjustment
EDITORIAL: China relations need adjustmentChinese researchers are advising the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) on measures to prepare for US sanctions on China in the event of a war with Taiwan, Reuters reported on Friday last week. With so much of the world’s goods still being manufactured in China, sanctions would mean that the cost of almost everything would go up significantly. “Partly in response to this, the EU and US have sought to de-risk and diversify supply chains and on-shore production of chips. This is the crux of all issues related to China and its relationship with democracies. Only through decreased interdependence with China can democracies truly be strong and remain autonomous.
Source:Taipei Times
October 28, 2023 09:27 UTC