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
Tata Group to become the first Indian iPhone maker
Tata Group to become the first Indian iPhone makerBloombergTata Group is set to seal a deal to become India’s first homegrown iPhone maker after Wistron Corp (緯創) yesterday agreed to sell a plant in the southern part of the country to the conglomerate. The unit operates an iPhone assembly plant near Bengaluru, a person familiar with the matter said. Wistron is one of three Taiwanese iPhone manufacturers in India, along with Foxconn and Pegatron. It has sought to diversify its business beyond thin-margin iPhone manufacturing into areas such as servers, agreeing to sell its iPhone production business in China to a competitor in 2020. That plant stands on several hundred hectares of land where Tata could add iPhone manufacturing lines in the next few years.
Source:Taipei Times
October 28, 2023 00:50 UTC
Taskin says ‘nothing for bowlers’ at World Cup
Taskin says ‘nothing for bowlers’ at World CupAFP, KOLKATA, IndiaBangladesh spearhead Taskin Ahmed yesterday said that “there’s nothing much for bowlers” at the Cricket World Cup as runs flow in India’s batting paradise. Bangladesh’s Taskin Ahmed reacts during their ICC Cricket World Cup match against New Zealand at the M.A. Photo: AFP“There’s nothing much for the bowlers,” said Taskin, who has taken only two wickets in three matches at a cost of 126 runs. “Like we have seen there are express fast bowlers in the world, they’re also struggling, leaking runs. You need a lot of skills to do well on this kind of surface.”Bangladesh are eighth in the 10-team World Cup table, while the Netherlands are at the bottom.
Source:Taipei Times
October 27, 2023 18:35 UTC
How to improve Taiwan’s gun laws
A further amendment adds the offense of firing a gun in a public place. Germany’s Weapons Act could be a useful point of reference. Second, the model of legislating the offense of shooting a gun in a public place should be adjusted. The third point concerns adding a legal basis for reviewing low-power guns. The public hopes that the authorities can crack down on illegal guns, prevent modified guns and vigorously uphold public safety.
Source:Taipei Times
October 27, 2023 17:05 UTC
Saudi Arabia’s mall-joggers
Saudi Arabia’s mall-joggersLack of exercise spaces and soaring heat drive trend in Gulf kingdomAFP, RIYADHThe shops have not yet opened, but the air-conditioned concourse of a Riyadh shopping mall is crowded anyway — a haven for walkers and joggers grateful for somewhere cool to exercise. Saudi women exercise in a mall in Riyadh on Oct. 15. Long popular in the US, another car-centric country with an obesity problem, mall-walking is increasingly becoming a Saudi sport. Long popular in the US, another car-centric country with an obesity problem, mall-walking is increasingly becoming a Saudi sport. The contained environment also guarantees people can exercise even in less-than-ideal weather, like spring sandstorms or winter rains, says Saudi nutritionist Laila al-Rifai, a member of Kalous’s group.
Source:Taipei Times
October 27, 2023 07:07 UTC
EDITORIAL: The ugly truth Chao affair reveals
EDITORIAL: The ugly truth Chao affair revealsWhile the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) and Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) are busy arranging a “marriage,” another hot topic concerns an extramarital affair. On Monday evening, a media outlet reported that Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Chao Tian-lin (趙天麟) and a Chinese woman surnamed Zhang (張) were allegedly involved in an extramarital affair. Chao later admitted that the extramarital affair happened years ago and issued a public apology, saying that he would not seek re-election in January’s legislative election. The affair has shown that Chinese war and infiltration have already started and are disguised under different forms. To own up to his mistake, Chao should reassure the public by offering a detailed explanation of the relationship, so that allegations of undermining national security could be put to rest.
Source:Taipei Times
October 26, 2023 21:41 UTC
KMT and TPP to enter talks soon
KMT and TPP to enter talks soonSOLE OPTION: As there is no time left for polling, a primary or both, the KMT and TPP have eyed party-to-party negotiations as the only way toward cooperationStaff writer, with CNAThe Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) yesterday announced that it would enter into “party-to-party negotiations” with the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) over possible collaboration for the Jan. 13 presidential and legislative elections, after deciding there is no longer enough time to hold polls or a primary to decide on a joint presidential candidate. This indicates that cooperation between Ko and Hou could be crucial if the DPP is to be defeated. Asked yesterday to comment on the standoff between the KMT and TPP, Hou said with the Nov. 24 deadline for presidential candidate registration looming, neither conducting polls, as proposed by the TPP, nor a primary, as the KMT has insisted on, could be completed in time. A KMT source, who asked not to be identified, said that the party has no preconditions for party-to-party negotiations and is open to discussing collaboration. The idea of holding “party-to-party negotiations” to discuss collaboration for the Jan. 13 elections and a governing coalition was first proposed by Ko during a meeting with KMT chairman Eric Chu (朱立倫) earlier this month.
Source:Taipei Times
October 26, 2023 21:39 UTC
ECB holds interest rates for first time in over a year
ECB holds interest rates for first time in over a yearBloombergThe European Central Bank (ECB) left interest rates unchanged for the first time in more than a year as it gauges whether an unprecedented series of hikes will succeed in subduing inflation. European Central Bank president Christine Lagarde speaks at a rates decision news conference in Athens, Greece yesterday. Italian bonds, which have been a major beneficiary of ECB debt-buying programs, outperformed as Lagarde said changes to the 1.7 trillion euro (US$1.8 trillion) pandemic-era Public Sector Purchase Program (PEPP) initiative weren’t discussed this week. ECB officials aren’t offering many clues, with several focusing instead on other policy levers like PEPP. On Wednesday, the Bank of Canada kept rates unchanged for a second straight time, while leaving open the possibility of more tightening.
Source:Taipei Times
October 26, 2023 17:19 UTC